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
- Visit foxsports.com or download the Fox Sports app on your device.
- Sign in with your TV provider credentials or subscribe to Fox One directly from $19.99/month.
- Navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section and select Iraq vs Norway.
- Stream live on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or web browser.
Canada — CTV / TSN
- Visit ctv.ca or tsn.ca, or download the CTV or TSN app.
- Sign in with your Bell Media TV provider credentials; TSN requires a subscription.
- Search for FIFA World Cup 2026 or browse the live events section.
- Select Iraq vs Norway and stream on any connected device.
UK — BBC iPlayer
- Go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer or download the BBC iPlayer app.
- Sign in or create a free BBC account — no subscription or payment required.
- Search for FIFA World Cup 2026 or find the match under the Sport section.
- Stream live and free on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV.
Australia — SBS On Demand
- Visit sbs.com.au/ondemand or download the SBS On Demand app.
- Create a free SBS account or log in — no subscription is needed.
- Browse to the FIFA World Cup 2026 hub and select Iraq vs Norway.
- Stream live and free; replays are also available after the match.
Iraq — beIN Sports Connect
- Visit bein.net or download the beIN CONNECT app on your device.
- Subscribe to a beIN Sports package covering the MENA region.
- Log in and navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 live section.
- Select Iraq vs Norway to stream in Arabic or English commentary.
Norway — NRK / TV2 Play
- Visit nrk.no or tv2.no, or download the NRK or TV2 Play app.
- NRK is free with no subscription; TV2 Play requires a subscription.
- Search for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and locate the Iraq vs Norway fixture.
- 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.



