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Iraq vs Norway LIVE Updates: First half still goalless! (0-0) 2026 World Cup Group I game

Gianni Taina
Erling Haaland #9 of Norway heads the ball against Zaid Tahseen #4 of Iraq.
© Getty ImagesErling Haaland #9 of Norway heads the ball against Zaid Tahseen #4 of Iraq.

Boston Stadium is ready to take center stage as Iraq and Norway square off to round out the 2026 World Cup opening matches of Group I. With heavyweights France and Senegal looming in the same zone, capturing three points tonight is absolutely vital for both sides’ knockout stage ambitions.

This match carries immense emotional weight for the Europeans, who are making their highly anticipated return to soccer’s grandest stage after a grueling 28-year absence. All eyes will be fixed on Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who steps onto soccer’s biggest stage as Norway‘s all-time leading scorer with an astonishing 55 goals in just 50 international appearances.

Iraq is orchestrating an incredible comeback story of their own. The Lions of Mesopotamia have navigated a four-decade-long wait to return to the World Cup, marking their first appearance since Mexico 1986. Entering the tournament as severe underdogs, the Asians will look to pull off a monumental upset and derail the Haaland party right from the opening whistle.

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12'- First shot of the game (0-0)

Iraq threatened again through forward Ali Al-Hamadi, who unleashed a powerful strike that sailed over Orjan Nyland's crossbar.

7'- Norway answers with Haaland (0-0)

Following a brilliant run by Haaland, the striker cut into the box and fired a pass toward the center, but Jalal Hassan caught it to smother the danger.

5'- First chance of the game (0-0)

Aymen Hussein had the first real chance of the match, sending a harmless header well over the Norway crossbar.

GAME ON!

The game between iraq and Norway is underway at Boston Stadium!

Players are on the pitch!

Players from both teams are on the field. Everything is ready for the start of the match!

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Today's referees

Pierre Ghislain Atcho has been appointed to officiate the clash between Iraq and Norway. He will be joined on the field by Boris Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.

Full officiating team:

  • Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho
  • Assistant Referee 1: Boris Ditsoga
  • Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne Ndong
  • Fourth official: Patrick Mbaïa
  • VAR: Guillermo Pacheco

Both teams doing warm up activities

Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at Boston Stadium!

Norway's lineup confirmed!

Norway’s starting XI: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Moller Wolfe; Fredrik Aursnes, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Antonio Nusa; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland.

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Iraq lineup confirmed!

Iraq’s starting XI: Jalal Hassan; Akam Hashem, Zaid Tahseen, Merchas Doski, Hussein Ali; Ali Jassim, Amir Al-Ammari, Ibrahim Bayesh, Zaid Ismail; Aymen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi.

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Kickoff time and where to watch

Iraq vs Norway will get underway at Boston Stadium at 6:00 PM (ET).

Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV are the options to watch Iraq vs Norway in the USA.

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Iraq and Norway clash in a 2026 World Cup Group I game

Welcome to World Soccer Talk's live blog! Iraq and Norway clash at Boston Stadium for 2026 World Cup Matchday 1 of Group I.

Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!

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