Group I of the World Cup hasn’t kicked off yet, but social media is already buzzing: on one side, some say Norway will turn their on-paper advantage into the scoreboard; on the other, others insist Iraq will drag the favorites into stalemate territory with a defensive script of three straight 0-0 draws. In the opening round of 2026 World Cup Group I, this clash between Iraq and Norway will kick off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, USA—a nominally neutral venue where both sides are desperate to secure a strong opening result.
Rankings tell a story. Norway are 31st in the FIFA world rankings, Iraq 57th, and both climbed one spot from the previous edition. But in the first round of the group stage, history rarely follows the standings script—especially in Group I, where the pressure of an opening match that sets the tone means the instinct to protect a point and the urge to grab one often coexist.
The stylistic contrast is the real story of this match. Norway are unbeaten in their last three, with both teams scoring in six of their last seven, their 4-3-3 stretching the width, the Ødegaard–Berg–Aursnes midfield trio steadying progression, and an attacking habit of pressing early, shooting often, and wasting no time. Iraq are on an entirely different path: six of their last seven matches have seen under 2.5 total goals, they drew three straight 0-0s in Asian qualifiers, pack the middle in a 4-2-3-1, and rely on structure to grind down phases of play.
The lineups have already telegraphed the plan. For Iraq, goalkeeper Farhad Talib anchors the back line, with defenders such as Merges Doshi holding the channels, Zidan Iqbal and Amir Al-Amari sitting in as the double pivot to shut down transitions, and Ali Jasim and Aymen Hussain leading the line against Norway's centre-back pairing. Norway turn to Nyland in goal, with Ajer, Heggheim, Rys-Johannessen and Wolf forming a back four, while the front line looks to use width to prise open space.
Norway have likewise ended three straight fixtures 0-0 during this European window—they appear to be road-testing their defensive approach too—but the old "Both Teams to Score" habit still hangs over the forums, with supporters wagering on whether they will rewrite the script from the opening whistle. Iraq are likely to stay compact again and look for through balls once Norway push forward; Norway, for their part, will aim to keep the contest pinned around the edge of Iraq's penalty area.
If you only bring one magnifying glass to this game: can Ødegaard use short, intricate passing to unpick Iraq's central congestion, and can Iraq's two strikers exploit the space in behind Norway? Three points in Group I speak louder than any pre-match ranking.
