FIFA World Cup

Iraq vs Norway, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage

· FIFA World Cup
Iraq
  • 39': Aymen Hussein
FT
1 - 4
Norway
  • 29': Erling Haaland
  • 43': Erling Haaland
  • 76': Leo Østigard
  • 90'+6': Aymen Hussein (OG)

Haaland nets brace on World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 3-1

Erling Haaland scored his first World Cup goals with a brace as Norway started their campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston.

Match Timeline

  • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
  • 0': First Half begins.
  • 4': Aymen Hussein (Iraq) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 4': Foul by Torbjørn Heggem (Norway).
  • 5': Attempt missed. Aymen Hussein (Iraq) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation.
  • 6': Akam Hashim (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 6': Foul by Alexander Sørloth (Norway).
  • 8': Merchas Doski (Iraq) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 8': Foul by Julian Ryerson (Norway).
  • 10': Foul by Ali Al Hamadi (Iraq).
  • 10': Kristoffer Ajer (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 13': Attempt missed. Ali Al Hamadi (Iraq) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Aymen Hussein.
  • 17': Foul by Zaid Tahseen (Iraq).
  • 17': Sander Berge (Norway) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 19': Corner, Norway. Conceded by Ibrahim Bayesh.
  • 20': Attempt missed. Erling Haaland (Norway) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Julian Ryerson with a cross following a corner.
  • 22': Foul by Zaid Ismael (Iraq).
  • 22': Antonio Nusa (Norway) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 24': Attempt blocked. Alexander Sørloth (Norway) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Julian Ryerson with a cross.
  • 24': Ibrahim Bayesh (Iraq) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 24': Foul by David Møller Wolfe (Norway).
  • 24': Delay in match for a drinks break.
  • 27': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 28': Attempt missed. Zaid Tahseen (Iraq) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation.
  • 29': Goal! Iraq 0, Norway 1. Erling Haaland (Norway) left footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by David Møller Wolfe with a cross.
  • 31': Attempt blocked. Alexander Sørloth (Norway) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Erling Haaland.
  • 32': Corner, Norway. Conceded by Hussein Ali.
  • 33': Jalal Hassan (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 33': Foul by Sander Berge (Norway).
  • 35': Foul by Aymen Hussein (Iraq).
  • 35': Alexander Sørloth (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 36': Ibrahim Bayesh (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 36': Foul by David Møller Wolfe (Norway).
  • 37': Attempt missed. Martin Ødegaard (Norway) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alexander Sørloth.
  • 37': Merchas Doski (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 37': Foul by Alexander Sørloth (Norway).
  • 39': Goal! Iraq 1, Norway 1. Aymen Hussein (Iraq) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Amir Al Ammari with a cross.
  • 43': Attempt saved. Erling Haaland (Norway) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal by Jalal Hassan (Iraq).
  • 43': Goal! Iraq 1, Norway 2. Erling Haaland (Norway) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal.
  • 44': Handball by Zaid Ismael (Iraq).
  • 45': Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.
  • 45'+1': Zaid Tahseen (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 45'+1': Foul by David Møller Wolfe (Norway).
  • 45'+2': Akam Hashim (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 45'+2': Foul by Erling Haaland (Norway).
  • 45'+3': Attempt missed. Ali Al Hamadi (Iraq) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Merchas Doski with a cross.
  • 45'+3': Attempt blocked. Ibrahim Bayesh (Iraq) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Ali Al Hamadi.
  • 45'+3': Corner, Iraq. Conceded by David Møller Wolfe.
  • 45'+4': Attempt missed. Zaid Tahseen (Iraq) header from the left side of the six yard box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Amir Al Ammari with a cross following a corner.
  • 45'+5': Attempt blocked. Ali Al Hamadi (Iraq) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ali Jasim with a through ball.
  • 45'+5': Corner, Iraq. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
  • 45'+6': Attempt missed. Akam Hashim (Iraq) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
  • 45'+7': First Half ends, Iraq 1, Norway 2.
  • 45': Second Half begins Iraq 1, Norway 2.
  • 47': Offside, Iraq. Hussein Ali is caught offside.
  • 49': Foul by Aymen Hussein (Iraq).
  • 49': David Møller Wolfe (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 53': Attempt missed. Aymen Hussein (Iraq) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ibrahim Bayesh with a cross.
  • 54': Foul by Amir Al Ammari (Iraq).
  • 54': Martin Ødegaard (Norway) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 54': Foul by Hussein Ali (Iraq).
  • 54': Antonio Nusa (Norway) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 56': Corner, Norway. Conceded by Akam Hashim.
  • 58': Delay in match because of an injury Ali Jasim (Iraq).
  • 59': Substitution, Iraq. Zidane Iqbal replaces Zaid Ismael.
  • 59': Substitution, Iraq. Marko Farji replaces Ali Al Hamadi.
  • 59': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 63': Attempt missed. Hussein Ali (Iraq) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is just a bit too high. Assisted by Amir Al Ammari with a cross.
  • 64': Merchas Doski (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 64': Foul by Alexander Sørloth (Norway).
  • 66': Corner, Norway. Conceded by Hussein Ali.
  • 69': Delay in match because of an injury Ali Jasim (Iraq).
  • 69': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 69': Delay in match for a drinks break.
  • 72': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 73': Substitution, Norway. Andreas Schjelderup replaces Antonio Nusa.
  • 73': Substitution, Norway. Kristian Thorstvedt replaces Fredrik Aursnes.
  • 73': Substitution, Norway. Oscar Bobb replaces Alexander Sørloth.
  • 73': Substitution, Norway. Leo Østigård replaces David Møller Wolfe because of an injury.
  • 73': Substitution, Iraq. Mustafa Saadoon replaces Hussein Ali.
  • 73': Substitution, Iraq. Ahmed Qasem replaces Ali Jasim because of an injury.
  • 76': Attempt blocked. Kristian Thorstvedt (Norway) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Oscar Bobb.
  • 76': Corner, Norway. Conceded by Merchas Doski.
  • 76': Goal! Iraq 1, Norway 3. Leo Østigård (Norway) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Martin Ødegaard with a cross following a corner.
  • 78': Substitution, Iraq. Mohanad Ali replaces Ibrahim Bayesh.
  • 78': Merchas Doski (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 78': Foul by Martin Ødegaard (Norway).
  • 79': Zaid Tahseen (Iraq) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 79': Foul by Erling Haaland (Norway).
  • 81': Substitution, Norway. Patrick Berg replaces Martin Ødegaard.
  • 82': Foul by Zaid Tahseen (Iraq).
  • 82': Erling Haaland (Norway) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 82': Attempt missed. Leo Østigård (Norway) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Julian Ryerson with a cross following a set piece situation.
  • 83': Attempt saved. Erling Haaland (Norway) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Jalal Hassan (Iraq).
  • 86': Foul by Zaid Tahseen (Iraq).
  • 86': Erling Haaland (Norway) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 86': Zaid Tahseen (Iraq) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 90': Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time.
  • 90'+1': Attempt missed. Kristian Thorstvedt (Norway) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Andreas Schjelderup.
  • 90'+2': Delay in match because of an injury Aymen Hussein (Iraq).
  • 90'+2': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 90'+4': Marko Farji (Iraq) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 90'+4': Foul by Julian Ryerson (Norway).
  • 90'+5': Foul by Mustafa Saadoon (Iraq).
  • 90'+5': Andreas Schjelderup (Norway) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 90'+6': Foul by Mustafa Saadoon (Iraq).
  • 90'+6': Erling Haaland (Norway) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 90'+6': Own Goal by Aymen Hussein, Iraq. Iraq 1, Norway 4.
  • 90'+8': Second Half ends, Iraq 1, Norway 4.
  • 0': Match ends, Iraq 1, Norway 4.

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/nor.png&h=25&scale=crop&w=25&location=originNOR IRQhttps://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irq.png&h=25&scale=crop&w=25&location=origin
13 Fouls 12
0 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
0 Offsides 1
5 Corner Kicks 2
0 Saves 2
61.3 Possession 38.7
12 SHOTS 11
5 ON GOAL 1
0.4 On Target % 0.1
0 Penalty Goals 0
0 Penalty Kicks Taken 0
477 Accurate Passes 271
537 Passes 334
0.9 Pass Completion % 0.8
7 Accurate Crosses 6
17 Crosses 13
0.4 Cross % 0.5
42 Long Balls 54
18 Accurate Long Balls 22
0.4 Long Balls % 0.4
3 Blocked Shots 2
10 Effective Tackles 13
15 Tackles 19
0.7 Tackle % 0.7
2 Interceptions 5
22 Effective Clearances 20
22 Clearances 20

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup

Venue: Gillette Stadium
Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA
Attendance: 63,106

FIFA World Cup Table

# TEAM GP GD PTS
1 France 3 +8 9
2 Norway 3 +1 6
3 Senegal 3 +2 3
4 Iraq 3 -11 0
Full Table

Line-Ups

IRQ Iraq (4-4-2)

No. Name
12 Jalal Hassan (GK)
5 Akam Hashim
4 Zaid Tahseen Yellow Card
23 Merchas Doski
3 Hussein Ali
16 Amir Al-Ammari
24 Zaid Ismael
17 Ali Jasim
8 Ibrahim Bayesh
9 Ali Al-Hamadi
18 Aymen Hussein
Iraq Substitutes:
Frans Putros, Mustafa Saadoon, Munaf Younus, Ahmed Basil, Rebin Sulaka, Ahmed Qasim, Youssef Amyn, Hashim Ali, Kevin Yakob, Ahmed Hasan, Fahad Talib, Marko Farji, Aimar Sher, Mohanad Ali, Zidane Iqbal.

NOR Norway (4-4-2)

No. Name
1 Ørjan Nyland (GK)
17 Torbjørn Heggem
3 Kristoffer Ajer
5 David Møller Wolfe
26 Julian Ryerson
14 Fredrik Aursnes
8 Sander Berge
20 Antonio Nusa
10 Martin Ødegaard
9 Erling Haaland
7 Alexander Sørloth
Norway Substitutes:
Morten Thorsby, Sondre Langas, Oscar Bobb, Henrik Falchener, Kristian Thorstvedt, Leo Østigard, Andreas Schjelderup, Patrick Berg, Thelo Aasgaard, Egil Selvik, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Sander Tangvik, Jens Petter Hauge, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Fredrik André Bjørkan.

FIFA World Cup News

Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026

ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.

Ecuador hires Marcelo Gallardo through 2030 World Cup
Ecuador hires Marcelo Gallardo through 2030 World Cup

Marcelo Gallardo, one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the Argentine league, has reached an agreement to manage Ecuador ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Two FIFA officials get lifetime bans for misuse of funds
Two FIFA officials get lifetime bans for misuse of funds

FIFA judges imposed life bans on two former federation presidents for financial misconduct.

FIFA: 2030 World Cup final host country decision to be made 'in due course'
FIFA: 2030 World Cup final host country decision to be made 'in due course'

FIFA said on Thursday that the decision over whether Morocco or Spain would host the 2030 World Cup final would be made "in due course."

2026 Ballon d'Or: Full men's, women's short lists, host city change, more
2026 Ballon d'Or: Full men's, women's short lists, host city change, more

The 2026 Ballon d'Or short lists are out. Here's who could win the biggest individual prizes in men's and women's soccer.