Norway’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup ended in celebration as Ståle Solbakken’s side beat Iraq 4-1 in their opening Group I match at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Taking part in the tournament for the first time since 1998, Norway brought the expectations of a generation that had waited 28 years to see the national team back on football’s biggest stage. Iraq, meanwhile, was participating in only the second World Cup and the first since Mexico 1986, ending its own 40-year absence.The evening ultimately belonged to Erling Holland, whose first World Cup appearance netted the first two goals of Norway’s campaign. The Manchester City striker struck twice before half-time, while second-half goals from Leo Staggard and an unfortunate late own goal completed a convincing victory that left Norway level with France in Group I on three points after Didier Deschamps’ 3-1 win over Senegal earlier in the day.
Holland announced themselves on the World Cup stage.
For most of the opening half hour, Norway controlled possession and territory without breaking through. Martin Odegaard dictated play from midfield, while Alexander Sorluth and Holland repeatedly stretched the Iraqi defense with intelligent moves around the penalty area.The deadlock was finally broken in the 29th minute after a turnover deep inside Iraqi territory. Norway moved the ball quickly down the left, where David Müller-Wolf delivered a precise cross into the danger area. Holland reacted quickest at the far post, stepping up to meet the delivery and curling a powerful finish into the net for Norway’s first World Cup goal since 1998.
Norway’s Erling Holland (9) scores the opening goal against Iraq’s goalkeeper Jalal Hasan (12) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxboro, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
The goal had obvious significance beyond the scoreboard. Holland entered the tournament as one of football’s biggest stars despite never having appeared in a major international tournament before. Norway’s failure to qualify for the recent World Cup and European Championships left one of the game’s most prominent forwards without a world stage. That changed in Foxborough as the 25-year-old finally opened his World Cup account.However, Iraq refused to let the match slip away from them. Their equalizer arrived in the 39th minute through a moment of real quality. Amir Al-Ammari delivered an inviting delivery into the penalty area and Ayman Hussain rose above a crowd of Norwegian defenders to direct a powerful header past Ørjan Nyland to level the score at 1-1.
Ayman Hussain of Iraq scores his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Messner)
For a brief period, Iraq looked capable of carrying the momentum into halftime. Instead, disaster struck four minutes later.A routine backpass to goalkeeper Jalal Hasan lacked pace and conviction, giving Holland an immediate sense of danger. The Norwegian striker intercepted the ball before Hasan could react and calmly slotted his finish into an empty net in the 43rd minute, restoring Norway’s lead and silencing Iraq’s revival almost as quickly as it emerged.
Norway’s Erling Holland (9) scores his second goal against Iraq’s goalkeeper Jalal Hassan (12) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxboro, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
The Norwegian Standard reports after the break.
The second half followed a familiar pattern, with Norway dominating possession and forcing Iraq to spend long periods defending their own half.Statistics reflect this dominance. Norway finished with 63 percent possession, completed 477 correct passes for a 90 percent success rate and had an expected goals ratio of 2.59 compared to Iraq’s 0.77. They also had advantages in total shots (12-11), shots on target (6-1) and corner kicks (5-2).Despite these gains, Iraq remained within touching distance entering the final quarter of the match. The contest was effectively ended in the 76th minute by a contribution from an unlikely source.Defender Leo Staggard had only entered the match four minutes earlier after replacing David Müller-Wolf. When Ødegaard curled a corner into the penalty area, Østigård rose above the Iraqi defense and powered a powerful header past Hassan to extend Norway’s lead to 3-1.
Leo Östegaard of Norway scores his team’s third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxboro, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Messner)
The goal rewarded Norway’s continued pressure while highlighting the influence of captain Odegaard, whose delivery set up the decisive third goal after another solid performance in midfield.Iraq continued to find a way back into the match, but Norway’s organization and control left few chances. The final scoreline deepened in stoppage time when Ayman Hussain inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net in the 96th minute, trying to deal with another dangerous Norwegian attack.An unlucky own goal completed a 4-1 victory over Iraq that may have looked a little tougher than the overall contest suggested, but there was no doubt about the deserved winner.
Group I begins to form.
The result immediately changes the complexion of Group I following France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal earlier in the day. Norway and France both sit on three points after matchday one, while Senegal and Iraq face early pressure in their second match.Norway arrive in North America after one of the most impressive qualifying campaigns in Europe. Solbakken’s side qualified with a perfect 8-0 record, while Holland topped the continent’s scoring charts with 16 goals in just eight qualifying matches, eight more than any other player.Those goals helped Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since this generation, famously beating Brazil and reaching the round of 16 in France in 1998. Their World Cup history is relatively short, with appearances in 1938, 1994, 1998 and now 2026, but this current squad has real ambitions.
Erling Holland of Norway celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston. (AP Photo/Martin Messner)
Despite the defeat, Iraq’s comeback was equally historic. The Lions of Mesopotamia had spent four decades waiting to return to the tournament after their only previous appearance in Mexico in 1986. While the result was disappointing, Hussain’s goal ensured they avoided going empty-handed from an attacking perspective.The focus now turns to the next round of Group I fixtures. Norway face Senegal on June 22, while Iraq face France on the same matchday as Didier Deschamps’ side opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s brace. Another win would propel Norway into a commanding position in what is already shaping up to be one of the marquee fixtures of the entire group stage.Norway’s final group match against France on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough is already seen as the standout matchup in Group I. The meeting will bring together two of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking teams, with Haaland and Mbappé going head-to-head at international level for the first time. France arrived in North America among the leading favorites to lift the trophy, while Norway’s impressive qualifying campaign and emphatic opening victory have strengthened the belief that they can challenge for the group’s top seed. After a 28-year wait for a return to the World Cup, Norway could hardly have asked for a stronger start to a campaign that now holds genuine ambitions for the knockout stages.
