Live Odds (Polymarket)
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Head-to-head History
Iraq and Norway have only met once before in an international friendly in 2004, where Iraq secured a surprise 1-0 victory. This match in Boston represents their first competitive meeting and a significant step up in stakes. Norway, with its rising profile in European football, and Iraq, a resilient and technically gifted Asian side, offer a fascinating contrast. The historical record technically favors Iraq, but nearly two decades have passed, and the current iterations of both teams are vastly different from those of the early 2000s.
Form & Ranking
Norway is ranked 30th in the world, but their threat level is perceived as much higher due to the presence of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. They qualified through a tough UEFA path. Iraq is ranked 65th, having qualified after a strong AFC campaign that showcased their defensive discipline. Norway’s form has been inconsistent, but they are capable of beating anyone on their day. Iraq has been solid in regional tournaments. Norway has a clean bill of health, while Iraq is missing their starting left-back, which could be problematic against Norway's wide play.
What to Expect
The game plan for Norway is clear: feed Erling Haaland as often as possible. Martin Ødegaard will be the orchestrator in midfield. Iraq is expected to sit deep and double-team Haaland, looking to hit Norway on the counter-attack through Aymen Hussein. Analysts at NRK (Norway) and various Middle Eastern outlets predict a 2-0 win for Norway, citing the 'Haaland factor' as too much for the Iraqi defense to contain. The Athletic notes that if Iraq can frustrate Norway for the first hour, the pressure on the Scandinavians could lead to an upset.