Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 [1] on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup [2].

The victory establishes Norway as a formidable contender in the tournament and marks a high-profile start for their star attacking line. A strong opening performance provides critical momentum for the team as they navigate the group stages.

Erling Haaland dominated the offensive play, scoring two goals [1] and providing one assist. Haaland's contribution included the second goal of the match, helping Norway build an early lead that Iraq could not overcome [3].

Norway's attacking superiority was evident throughout the match. The team utilized a high-pressure strategy to break down the Iraqi defense, resulting in a four-goal tally [1, 4]. Iraq struggled to contain Haaland's movement, which allowed the Norwegian striker to find space in the penalty area repeatedly.

While Iraq managed to find the back of the net once, they were unable to mount a sustained comeback. The final score of 4-1 [1] reflects a significant gap in offensive execution between the two sides during this encounter.

This match serves as the first tournament appearance for Haaland on the world stage. His ability to impact the game through both scoring and playmaking suggests that Norway will rely heavily on his form to advance further in the competition [3].

“Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup”

This result places Norway in a strong position to advance from the group stage, as a three-goal margin of victory provides a significant boost to their goal difference. The performance confirms that Erling Haaland is the focal point of Norway's tactical approach and a primary threat that opposing defenses must now account for throughout the tournament.