Iraq vs Norway: Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026

Norway have qualified for the FIFA World Cup after 28 years

Two teams returning to the FIFA World Cup after lengthy absences will face off in the second Group I fixture on June 16 at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts, USA. Norway are back on football’s biggest stage after a 28-year wait, while Iraq returns to the tournament for the first time in 40 years, having last appeared in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Despite boasting stars such as Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth, and several other top players, Norway endured a disappointing qualifying campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and failed to secure a place at the tournament. This time around, however, they got their act together and booked their spot in style, winning all eight of their qualification matches.

Iraq, meanwhile, will consider Graham Arnold’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup a significant achievement in itself. They secured their place in the tournament by defeating Bolivia in the inter-confederation playoffs. Group I is often regarded as one of the toughest groups in the competition, with France, Senegal, and Norway all considered stronger on paper than Iraq. However, the Iraqis are not a side that can be underestimated.

Here are five key battles that could have a major influence on the outcome when these two teams take the field in Boston on June 16.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Full Fixtures, Schedule, Results, Match Timings & Where to Watch

5. Sander Berge vs Amir Al-Ammari

Sander Berge, Norway’s midfield general, arrives at the World Cup following an impressive season with Fulham in the Premier League. A natural defensive midfielder, Berge excels at breaking up opposition attacks, winning duels, and providing physical dominance in the centre of the pitch.

His likely midfield opponent, Amir Al-Ammari, is known for his excellent range of passing and tireless work rate. However, Al-Ammari lacks the physical presence that Berge brings to midfield battles. His relative lack of pace could also be an area Berge looks to exploit, especially with his ability to carry the ball forward and progress play from deep areas.

That said, Berge must remain cautious of Al-Ammari’s set-piece quality. The Iraqi midfielder is capable of delivering dangerous balls into the box, and Norway will need to avoid conceding unnecessary free kicks in dangerous positions.

4. Alexandar Sorloth vs Merchas Doski

Alexander Sorloth is a traditional centre-forward at the club level, but he is often deployed on the right wing for Norway to accommodate Erling Haaland through the middle while ensuring his own attacking threat remains on the pitch.

He is expected to start on the right flank against Merchas Doski, an aggressive full-back known for his proactive tackling and attacking contributions in the final third. However, Doski can struggle in aerial situations, which is an area Sorloth is a giant and will look to exploit. The Norwegian forward is likely to use his physical presence and intelligent movement to make late runs into the penalty area and catch Doski out of position.

3. Antonio Nusa vs Hussein Ali

Antonio Nusa, one of the most highly rated young wingers in European football, is expected to start on the left wing for Norway. The youngster has already established himself at the international level, registering 17 goal contributions in just 24 appearances for his country.

In the opening match, he is likely to face Hussein Ali, a quick and energetic modern-day full-back. Ali excels in one-on-one defending and regularly supports attacks with overlapping runs. However, he can struggle against inverted wingers due to occasional positional lapses. That is an area where Nusa thrives, making intelligent runs towards the far post, cutting inside onto his stronger foot, and creating shooting opportunities for himself.

2. Aymen Hussein vs Kristoffer Ajer

Aymen Hussein, the leading goalscorer in the current Iraq national team setup, is expected to lead the line in Graham Arnold’s preferred two-striker system alongside Ali Al-Hamadi. Hussein is the more experienced of the two and serves as the primary target man, often praised by Iraqi supporters for his physical presence and clinical edge in attack.

His hold-up play allows Iraq’s wingers and midfielders to join attacks, while his striker instincts inside the penalty area make him a constant threat from crosses and aerial deliveries. Hussein is expected to face Kristoffer Ajer, a defender renowned for his physicality, aerial strength, and composure on the ball.

While Ajer is comfortable playing out from the back and generally excels in defensive duels, he can occasionally lose track of runners inside the penalty area. That is precisely the type of situation Hussein thrives on, and he will be looking to capitalise on any lapse in concentration from the Norwegian defence.

1. Erling Haaland vs Rebin Sulaka

Erling Haaland, renowned for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities, aerial dominance, pace, clinical finishing, and knack for attacking crosses, will face Rebin Sulaka, the most experienced defender in the Iraq squad.

Sulaka is often praised for being an old-school centre-back. He is physically imposing, dominant in the air, and possesses excellent game-reading abilities that help him anticipate strikers’ movements inside the box and neutralise danger. However, he is expected to face a difficult challenge against Haaland, who is arguably the best striker in world football and has scored 55 goals in just 50 appearances for Norway.

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