- Norway is a massive favorite over Iraq in the first World Cup appearance for star striker Erling Haaland.
- The 2026 World Cup marks Norway’s first appearance since 1998, ending a 28-year absence.
- Iraq has not been in the tournament in 40 years and needed to play 21 qualifying games to earn a spot.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Tuesday night will be historic for both Iraq and Norway, each making their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in decades. The two will face off at Gillette Stadium at 6 PM EST.
Iraq vs Norway Match Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq | +1.5, +2 (+102) | +1200 | O 3.0 (+108) |
| Norway | -1.5, -2 (-122) | -475 | U 3.0 (-128) |
Norway is a massive favorite at legal sports betting sites, mainly due to their star striker Erling Haaland, who some consider to be the best in the world.
The 25 year old striker will make his World Cup debut in Norway’s first tournament appearance since 1998, snapping a 28-year drought for the country. Haaland scored 16 goals in eight qualifying games, twice as many as the next closest European player.
Iraq snapped an even longer absence from the World Cup, making their first appearance in 40 years with their last World Cup team playing in 1986. The Iraqi team played 21 qualifying games to finally secure a spot in the tournament.
Bet Over 3.0 Total Goals Scored (+108)
After such a long absence from the World Cup, both teams will likely come out with intensity, which could result in plenty of scoring chances for both sides
Norway has been relatively low scoring in their last four friendlies heading into the tournament, averaging just 1.3 goals per game, but averaged 3.5 goals per game in their final four qualifiers, showing that they can be explosive offensively against less experienced teams.
Iraq is an inspiring underdog story, especially considering their long 21-match road to get to the tournament, but it is unlikely that they have the defensive ability to keep up with Haaland, who absolutely tore up competition heading into the World Cup.
Norway has been susceptible defensively as well, allowing at least one goal in each of their last seven matches, which includes allowing multi-score performances to the Netherlands and Sweden, making the over an interesting play at World Cup betting sites.
