- Iraq and Norway have both won six, drawn three and lost only one of their last ten matches in all competitions.
- Norway have averaged 2.00 goals per game away from home across all competitions.
High stakes clash between former European rivals
This Tuesday's Group I clash between Iraq and Norway will be one of the most intriguing matchups in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup, with both nations back at the finals for the first time in a long time. The Iraq vs Norway prediction is that Norway are a heavy 1.23 favorites to win this match, but the 1.59 for the 'over 2.5 goals' line is a better bet, as the odds reflect.
Norway play a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system and are a much more positive and adventurous team than most under new boss Philippe Clement, who has impressed since taking charge in November 2025. He has implemented a high-pressing game, where his side play in a vertical, high-risk and high-reward way, attempting to overwhelm teams in the attacking third and get numbers forward for a chance.
The best man to supply the ball into the box is Martin Ødegaard, a top class player with exceptional vision and distribution, who can always pick a pass. Erling Haaland will be the key man who will profit from the chances that Ødegaard creates, as his directness, power and finishing ability are world class. The new striker on the block is Joergen Strand Larsen, who has chipped in with three goals in Norway's last five, adding some depth to the attack.
Graham Arnold has moulded Iraq into a compact, disciplined, hard to beat unit in his time in charge since May 2025. His team will sit deep, press selectively and counter attack efficiently, aiming to frustrate the opposition and hit them on set-pieces or when they are vulnerable in transition. This Iraq vs Norway preview highlights how Ali Adnan is a talented full-back who provides the width for Iraq and takes most of the corners, a key role in Arnold's system. Aymen Hussein is the target man in front of the main line of defence and is crucial to Iraq's play on both set-pieces and counter-attacks.
Norway are good for the win
Both teams have strong overall form in all competitions, but Iraq's last home match was a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Venezuela, while they have scored seven times in their previous five home games. The draw is priced at 6.8 and our Iraq vs Norway prediction is that this is a bit generous for them, considering how strong Norway are at the other end and the fact that Norway will be the more positive side.
Norway's form is mixed, but more favourable overall, with two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five. They are an explosive team that can score goals and I am confident that they will break through Iraq's resistance and win at the Boston Stadium. For those looking for additional insights, the Iraq vs Norway betting tips suggest focusing on Norway’s attacking potential and the likelihood of a high-scoring encounter.
