Iraq 1-4 Norway - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Iraq 1-4 Norway - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Iraq faced Norway to close off the first round of fixtures in Group I at the Boston Stadium. The tournament marks Iraq's second appearance in the World Cup, with their first being in 1986. For Norway, this was the first time the side featured in a World Cup since 1998. Norway took the lead in the first half through Erling Haaland. Against the run of play, Iraq equalised quickly through a header from Ayman Hussein, yet Haaland struck again and Iraq deflated.

The game begun slowly for Norway, with Iraq displaying a true sense of organisation and togetherness. However, it wasn't long until Norway began to dominate possession. It took just 30 minutes for Erling Haaland to score his first ever World Cup goal, scoring a tap-in from the centre circle after getting on the end of a beautifully weighted pass by Moller Wolfe.

Norway continued to run proceedings in the first half, winning a host of set pieces, and it looked like it was only a matter of time before the flood gates opened, however, Ayman Hussein had something to say about that. Leaping on the end of a looping cross, the 30-year old striker unleashed a bullet header which soared into the back of the net. Now, Iraq were on the frontfoot.

Unfortunately, Iraq couldn't capitalise. A blunder from goalkeeper Jalal Hassan shortly after Hussein's goal provided Haaland with his second of the match, and now the tide had once again turned in Norway's favour, yet Iraq did not give up.

Iraq had a golden chance at the end of the half, with Ibrahim Bayesh's shot being blocked almost on the goalline. The Norwegian defence looks shaky, but after the break, one would expect this to be rectified. Iraq almost equalised again before half-time through a fantastic 30-yard volley from Hasim, yet the ball shaved the crossbar.

Norway are nowhere near home and dry.

Halftime Score: Iraq 1-2 Norway

After the break, Norway's defence appeared more solid, and chances began to come more easily for the side.

Iraq had some flashes of life, yet this time round Norway were a lot more assured in defence. As the game went into the last quarter after the final hydration break, Norway had most of the possession and were creating some solid chances, but they needed one more goal to ease the pressure. Iraq struggled to hold on, and just before the final 10 minutes Norway made it 3. Central defender Leo Østigard came off the bench to score a header from a corner.

Both sides made full use of their benches, and this was when the gulf in class between Norway and Iraq really began to set in. In the final minutes, Norway displayed professionalism and calmness to secure the victory.

As the match entered stoppage time, Norway had a few more chances but nothing significant. However, in the final play of the game, Erling Haaland's looping header across goal found Kristian Thorstvedt who forced earlier goalscorer Aymen Hussein into putting one into his own net.

Full Time Score: Iraq 1-4 Norway

Iraq Player Ratings

• Jalal Hassan (4)
• Hussein Ali (5)
• Zaid Tahseen (5)
• Akam Hashem (5)
• Merchas Doski (6)
• Ibrahim Bayesh (7)
• Zaid Ismael (6)
• Amir Al-Ammari (7)
• Ali Jasim (7)
• Ayman Hussein (7)
• Ali Al Hamadi (7)
• Zidane Iqbal (6)
• Marko Lawk Farji (6)
• Ahmed Qassem (6)
• Mohanad Ali (6)

Norway Player Ratings

• Ørjan Håskjold Nyland (6)
• Julian Ryerson (7)
• Kristoffer Aje (7)
• Torbjørn Heggem (7)
• David Møller Wolfe (8)
• Martin Ødegaard (7)
• Sander Berge (7)
• Fredrik Aursnes (6)
• Alexander Sørloth (6)
• Erling Haaland (9)
• Antonio Nusa (7)
• Leo Østigard (8)
• Kristian Thorstvedt (7)
• Andreas Schjelderup (6)
• Oscar Bobb (6)
• Patrick Berg (6)

Man Of The Match - Erling Haaland

Welcome to the World Cup, Erling.

Haaland announced his arrival in style, with his brace securing victory for Norway and suggesting there could be plenty more goals to come before the tournament is over.

Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappé etched his name even further into history by becoming France's all-time leading goalscorer. He now sits just three goals behind Miroslav Klose's all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record. If Haaland's explosive start is anything to go by, the Norwegian superstar could have plenty to say in that race as well.

Bad Day in The Office - Jalal Hassan

The Iraq captain was directly at fault for Haaland's second goal, with a blunder between the sticks causing him to practically hand it to the forward.

Poor distribution throughout the game deflated Iraq's game plan, and a failure to clear his lines properly resulted in a corner in which Norway scored.

The 35-year old has now played in goal for Iraq 80 times, making his debut all the way back in 2011. Jalal Hassan is a footballing legend in Iraq, and he will be sure to fix it up in their next fixture.