Iraq v Norway

The opening day of live action in Group I sees Iraq take on Norway in Boston.

Iraq were the final team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, beating Bolivia in a play-off held in Mexico in April. Star striker Aymen Hussein scored the winning goal in that game to fulfil his ambition to reach a World Cup with Iraq, 40 years after the country’s first and only appearance at the tournament in 1986.

It has been 28 years since Norway last featured at a World Cup in France in 1998, but they qualified in style, topping their group and registering two victories over four-time winners Italy. All eyes will be on their prolific Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who scored 16 goals in qualifying, and captain Martin Odegaard of Arsenal.