Iraq vs Norway

Iraq vs Norway Live is the Group I opener nobody saw coming — a 40-year World Cup return against a Haaland-powered juggernaut.

Get the time, streaming guide, squads, and our prediction right here.

Match Details Snapshot

Detail Information
Match Iraq vs Norway
Date Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Kick-off (ET) 6:00 PM ET
Kick-off (GMT) 11:00 PM GMT
Kick-off (BST) 11:00 PM BST
Kick-off (Iraq Local) 2:00 AM AST (June 17)
Kick-off (Norway Local) 1:00 AM CEST (June 17)
Venue Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium), Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA
Stage Group Stage — Group I

How to Watch Iraq vs Norway Live Stream Online

USA — Fox One / Fox Sports App

  1. Visit foxsports.com or download the Fox Sports app on your device.
  2. Sign in with your TV provider credentials or subscribe to Fox One directly from $19.99/month.
  3. Navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section and select Iraq vs Norway.
  4. Stream live on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or web browser.

Canada — CTV / TSN

  1. Visit ctv.ca or tsn.ca, or download the CTV or TSN app.
  2. Sign in with your Bell Media TV provider credentials; TSN requires a subscription.
  3. Search for FIFA World Cup 2026 or browse the live events section.
  4. Select Iraq vs Norway and stream on any connected device.

UK — BBC iPlayer

  1. Go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer or download the BBC iPlayer app.
  2. Sign in or create a free BBC account — no subscription or payment required.
  3. Search for FIFA World Cup 2026 or find the match under the Sport section.
  4. Stream live and free on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV.

Australia — SBS On Demand

  1. Visit sbs.com.au/ondemand or download the SBS On Demand app.
  2. Create a free SBS account or log in — no subscription is needed.
  3. Browse to the FIFA World Cup 2026 hub and select Iraq vs Norway.
  4. Stream live and free; replays are also available after the match.

Iraq — beIN Sports Connect

  1. Visit bein.net or download the beIN CONNECT app on your device.
  2. Subscribe to a beIN Sports package covering the MENA region.
  3. Log in and navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 live section.
  4. Select Iraq vs Norway to stream in Arabic or English commentary.

Norway — NRK / TV2 Play

  1. Visit nrk.no or tv2.no, or download the NRK or TV2 Play app.
  2. NRK is free with no subscription; TV2 Play requires a subscription.
  3. Search for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and locate the Iraq vs Norway fixture.
  4. Stream live from anywhere in Norway on your preferred device.

Which TV Channels Will Broadcast Iraq vs Norway?

Region TV Channel(s) Kick-off Time (Local)
USA Fox (network TV) 6:00 PM ET
Canada CTV / TSN 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
UK BBC One 11:00 PM BST
Australia SBS / SBS Viceland 9:00 AM AEST (June 17)
Iraq beIN Sports 2:00 AM AST (June 17)
Norway NRK / TV2 1:00 AM CEST (June 17)

In the UK, BBC and ITV share the World Cup rights and both platforms are completely free to air — no subscription is required for UK viewers.

Australia’s SBS holds exclusive rights and airs all 104 matches live and free, making it one of the most viewer-friendly arrangements in the world, while Iraq falls under the beIN Sports MENA deal, which requires a paid subscription but offers both Arabic and English commentary.

Match Preview

Iraq end a 40-year World Cup absence under coach Graham Arnold, while Norway make their first appearance since 1998, meaning both sides arrive in Boston carrying the weight of decades of hurt and the desperation to prove they belong.

They share Group I with France and Senegal, making every point in this opener absolutely critical.

Arnold has Iraq set up in a compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, defending deep and looking to hurt teams through Ali Jassim, Ibrahim Bayesh, and quick transitions toward Aymen Hussein.

Norway press high in a 4-3-3 with two defensive midfielders protecting the back four, using direct vertical passes to feed Haaland in behind opposing defences.

Key injury and suspension news is subject to official confirmation closer to kick-off, with both camps expected to name their strongest available XIs for this high-stakes group opener.

Norway’s squad is rich in alternatives if any starting player is carrying a knock, while Arnold’s selection pool is significantly narrower, making player availability even more critical for Iraq.

Iraq Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

# Position Player Club
1 GK Jalal Hassan (C) Al-Zawraa
2 GK Fahad Talib Al-Talaba
3 GK Ahmed Basil Al-Shorta
4 DEF Hussein Ali Pogoń Szczecin
5 DEF Rebin Sulaka Port FC
6 DEF Merchas Doski Viktoria Plzeň
7 DEF Manaf Younis Al-Shorta
8 DEF Ahmed Yahya Al-Shorta
9 DEF Zaid Tahseen Pakhtakor
10 DEF Akam Hashem Al-Zawraa
11 DEF Mustafa Saadoon Al-Shorta
12 DEF Frans Putros Persib Bandung
13 DEF Zaid Ismail Al-Talaba
14 MID Zidane Iqbal FC Utrecht
15 MID Amir Al-Ammari Cracovia
16 MID Kevin Yakob AGF (Aarhus GF)
17 MID Aimar Sher Sarpsborg 08
18 MID Ibrahim Bayesh Al-Dhafra
19 MID Ahmed Qasem Nashville SC
20 MID Youssef Amyn AEK Larnaca
21 MID Marko Farji Venezia
22 FWD Ali Al-Hamadi Ipswich Town
23 FWD Aymen Hussein Al-Karma
24 FWD Ali Jassim Como
25 FWD Ali Youssef Apollon Limassol
26 FWD Mohanad Ali Dibba Al-Fujairah

Key Players to Watch

  • Aymen Hussein: Iraq’s talisman with 33 international goals in 93 caps, he scored the 53rd-minute winner against Bolivia that sealed World Cup qualification — the nation looks to him to deliver in the biggest moments.
  • Ali Al-Hamadi: The Ipswich Town forward netted the opener against Bolivia and is the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League, bringing top-flight English football experience to Arnold’s attack.
  • Zidane Iqbal: The former Manchester United academy graduate controls Iraq’s midfield tempo at just 22 with clean passing from his base at FC Utrecht, and embodies the diaspora generation that rebuilt this team.

Norway Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

# Position Player Club
1 GK Ørjan Nyland Sevilla
2 GK Egil Selvik Watford
3 GK Sander Tangvik Hamburger SV
4 DEF Julian Ryerson Borussia Dortmund
5 DEF Kristoffer Ajer Brentford
6 DEF Leo Skiri Østigård Genoa
7 DEF David Møller Wolfe Wolverhampton Wanderers
8 DEF Marcus Holmgren Pedersen Torino
9 DEF Torbjørn Heggem Bologna
10 DEF Fredrik Bjørkan Bodø/Glimt
11 DEF Henrik Falchener Viking
12 DEF Sondre Langås Derby County
13 MID Martin Ødegaard (C) Arsenal
14 MID Sander Berge Fulham
15 MID Fredrik Aursnes Benfica
16 MID Patrick Berg Bodø/Glimt
17 MID Kristian Thorstvedt Sassuolo
18 MID Morten Thorsby Cremonese
19 MID Thelo Aasgaard Rangers
20 FWD Erling Haaland Manchester City
21 FWD Alexander Sørloth Atlético Madrid
22 FWD Jørgen Strand Larsen Crystal Palace
23 FWD Antonio Nusa RB Leipzig
24 FWD Oscar Bobb Fulham
25 FWD Andreas Schjelderup Benfica
26 FWD Jens Petter Hauge Bodø/Glimt

Key Players to Watch

  • Erling Haaland: The Manchester City striker scored 16 goals in qualifying — twice as many as any other player in Europe — and finally gets his World Cup debut in Boston against Iraq.
  • Martin Ødegaard: The Arsenal captain pulls the strings as Norway’s creative heartbeat, dictating tempo, unlocking defences, and providing the vision to exploit Iraq’s compact block.
  • Antonio Nusa: The young RB Leipzig winger is expected to use his quick dribbling to cut inside and create chances for himself and teammates, giving Norway a dangerous alternative threat to Haaland’s centrality.

Upcoming Match Schedule

Iraq — Next Fixtures

Date Opponent Stage Venue Time (ET)
June 16, 2026 Norway Group I Gillette Stadium 6:00 PM
June 22, 2026 France Group I Lincoln Financial Field 5:00 PM
June 26, 2026 Senegal Group I BMO Field 3:00 PM

Norway — Next Fixtures

Date Opponent Stage Venue Time (ET)
June 16, 2026 Iraq Group I Gillette Stadium 6:00 PM
June 22, 2026 Senegal Group I MetLife Stadium 8:00 PM
June 26, 2026 France Group I Gillette Stadium 3:00 PM

Iraq vs Norway Prediction

Norway hold every statistical advantage heading into Iraq vs Norway — a perfect qualifying record, a world-class striker in peak form, and a squad built for tournament football — and they should control possession and create the clearer chances.

Iraq will defend with discipline and spirit, but the gulf in individual quality makes it hard to see Arnold’s side getting anything more than a battling defeat.

The predicted scoreline is Norway 2–0 Iraq, with Haaland opening the scoring and Norway sealing it with a clinical second-half finish.

Football, of course, has a habit of making fools of predictions, and if Iraq can keep it tight until the final quarter, this match could yet spring a surprise that shakes the whole group.

FAQs

What time does Iraq vs Norway kick off?

The match kicks off at 6:00 PM ET on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, which is 11:00 PM GMT / BST in the UK and 9:00 AM AEST the following morning in Australia. Always verify the time with your local broadcaster.

Where can I watch Iraq vs Norway live?

In the USA, catch it on Fox or stream via the Fox Sports app and Fox One. UK viewers get it free on BBC One / BBC iPlayer, Australians can watch free on SBS On Demand, and Canadians can tune into CTV or TSN.

What is the head-to-head record between Iraq and Norway?

Iraq and Norway have rarely met on the international stage, and this match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is widely regarded as their most significant encounter. The historical head-to-head offers no meaningful guide to the outcome of this tie.

Who is the key player to watch in Iraq vs Norway?

All eyes will fall on Erling Haaland — the Manchester City striker who lit up qualifying with 16 goals and finally gets his World Cup debut. For Iraq, Aymen Hussein is the man whose hold-up play and goals will determine how competitive the Lions of Mesopotamia can be.

What is the predicted outcome of Iraq vs Norway?

Norway are strong favourites given their perfect qualifying campaign and attacking firepower, with a 2–0 win the most likely result. Iraq’s historic return to the World Cup after 40 years makes this emotionally charged, but on paper Solbakken’s side should have too much quality.

Imrul Kawser
Imrul Kawser is a Senior Sports Media Analyst at Surprise Sports, specializing in global broadcasting rights, cord-cutting logistics, and digital streaming platforms. With over five years of experience navigating complex media landscapes, Imrul breaks down regional blackout restrictions and OTT platform updates to help fans worldwide access live matches legally and seamlessly.