Iraq
4-2-3-1 expected XI
Upcoming
Iraq vs Norway — FIFA World Cup 2026
Iraq
IRQ
VS
Norway
NOR
June 25, 2026
16:00 ET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Capacity: 69,176
Iraq arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 1 previous appearance, their best result being Group stage (1986). Norway have 3 appearances on football's biggest stage, with a best finish of Group stage (1938, 1994, 1998). Both sides qualified via AFC third round winners and UEFA Group G winners respectively. This is a rare inter-confederation clash: Iraq of Asian Football Confederation against Norway of Union of European Football Associations. Nations from different confederations meet infrequently outside World Cup tournaments.
Expected Lineups & Formation
Projected starting XIs, tactical shapes, and squad depth for Iraq vs Norway.
Tactical Formation Diagram
Hover or tap an expected starter to open the full player profile and compare both tactical systems.
Iraq 4-2-3-1 4-3-3 Norway
1 Jalal Hassan 
4 Ahmed Ibrahim 
5 Ali Adnan 
2 Rebin Sulaka 
3 Saad Natiq 
6 Ali Faez 
8 Ibrahim Bayesh 
10 Aymen Hussein 
7 Mohanad Ali 
9 Amjad Attwan 
11 Ali Jasim 
1 Ørjan Nyland 
2 Marcus Holmgren Pedersen 
4 Leo Østigård 
5 Stian Gregersen 
3 Birger Meling 
6 Sander Berge 
8 Fredrik Aursnes 
10 Martin Ødegaard 
7 Jens Petter Hauge 
9 Erling Haaland 
11 Alexander Sørloth Iraq (4-2-3-1)
Norway (4-3-3)
Iraq
4-2-3-1 · Coach: Jesús Casas · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Norway
4-3-3 · Coach: Ståle Solbakken · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Iraq vs Norway — Historic Context & Meeting Record
World Cup pedigree, confederation background, and what this fixture means for both nations.
0 previous meetings at senior international level
Historic first meeting — FIFA World Cup 2026
This is a rare inter-confederation clash: Iraq of Asian Football Confederation against Norway of Union of European Football Associations. Nations from different confederations meet infrequently outside World Cup tournaments. This group stage fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2026 represents their first-ever competitive encounter.
Iraq
ConfederationAsian Football Confederation
World Cup Apps1
Best ResultGroup stage (1986)
QualificationAFC third round winners
Norway
ConfederationUnion of European Football Associations
World Cup Apps3
Best ResultGroup stage (1938, 1994, 1998)
QualificationUEFA Group G winners
📍 Venue Fact Sheet — Lincoln Financial Field
Opened2003
SurfaceDesso GrassMaster
Capacity69,176
ArchitectNBBJ
WC 2026 Matches4
Notable EventsArmy-Navy Game, Copa América Centenario
Notable Matches at This Venue
| Year | Competition | Teams | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Copa América Centenario | Chile vs Panama (group stage) | Chile 4–2 Panama |
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | 4 matches scheduled | TBC |
Team Form & Recent Outings
How Iraq and Norway arrive at the World Cup based on their last five competitive fixtures.
Iraq
WWLLW
3W 0D 2L · 6 GF · 5 GA · 1 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
W 2-1
31 Mar 2026 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Bolivia (N)
L 0-1
12 Dec 2025 · Arab Cup · vs Jordan (N)
L 0-2
9 Dec 2025 · Arab Cup · vs Algeria (N)
W 2-0
6 Dec 2025 · Arab Cup · vs Sudan (N)
W 2-1
3 Dec 2025 · Arab Cup · vs Bahrain (N)
Norway
DWWLD
2W 2D 1L · 10 GF · 5 GA · 1 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
D 0-0
31 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Switzerland (H)
L 1-2
27 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Netherlands (A)
W 4-1
16 Nov 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Italy (A)
W 4-1
13 Nov 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Estonia (H)
D 1-1
14 Oct 2025 · Friendly · vs New Zealand (H)
Key Players to Watch
Six individuals who could decide the outcome of Iraq vs Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Iraq
Player to Watch
Aymen Hussein
89 caps · 4 goals
Captain — 87 caps of experience
A mainstay of the Iraq national team with over 23 caps, Aymen Hussein brings leadership and technical quality. Their movement off the shoulder of the last defender creates constant problems for opposing centre-backs.
Amjad Attwan
76 caps · 1 goals
Most carries into opposition box
Amjad Attwan has been instrumental in Iraq's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Hussein Ali
63 caps · 33 goals
Set-piece specialist — 8 direct free-kick goals
Hussein Ali is enjoying a career-best season at Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, translating club form into international impact. Jesús Casas relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain Iraq's competitive edge.
Norway
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
12 caps · 7 goals
Fastest player in squad (35.2 km/h)
Erling Haaland is enjoying a career-best season at Man City, translating club form into international impact. Ståle Solbakken relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain Norway's competitive edge.
Alexander Sørloth
51 caps · 16 goals
Leads squad in chances created
Alexander Sørloth is enjoying a career-best season at Atlético Madrid, translating club form into international impact. Ståle Solbakken relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain Norway's competitive edge.
Martin Ødegaard
25 caps · 10 goals
Aerial duel winner — 68% success rate
Martin Ødegaard has been instrumental in Norway's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Tactical Analysis
A deep dive into how Jesús Casas and Ståle Solbakken will set their sides up tactically for this FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage clash.
Iraq — 4-2-3-1
System Overview
A structured block with a double pivot and a roaming playmaker behind the striker.
Attacking Patterns
Iraq's set-piece threat is significant — they scored 12 goals from corners and free-kicks in qualifying.
Defensive Shape
Norway uses a high press triggered by opposition goalkeeper touches, forcing long clearances.
Norway — 4-3-3
System Overview
A balanced system with width from full-backs and a single pivot shielding the back four.
Attacking Patterns
Iraq favours quick transitions within 5 seconds of winning possession — a direct counter-attacking style.
Defensive Shape
Iraq drops into a mid-block when leading, compressing vertical space between the lines.
Key Tactical Battle to Watch
The decisive tactical battle will be Iraq's three-man defence against Norway's wing-back system. If Jesús Casas can neutralise Norway's primary creator in central zones, Iraq should control the tempo.
Match Prediction & AI Forecast
Data-driven outlook for Iraq vs Norway based on squad depth, recent form, and historical head-to-head trends.
AI Forecast
FavouriteNorway
Confidence68%
Likely Scorelines1-2 · 0-1 · 1-3
Factors for Iraq
- Norway enter with superior recent form and tactical cohesion
- Norway's pressing intensity could exploit Iraq's transitional vulnerabilities
Factors for Norway
- Iraq will enjoy vocal home support at Iraq's home continent
- Iraq have historically raised performance levels in World Cup openers
This forecast is generated by an editorial AI model using squad-depth heuristics and confederation strength indices. It is not a betting tip.
This AI-generated forecast is for entertainment and editorial purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Always gamble responsibly.
Tickets & Pricing
Secure your seat for Iraq vs Norway at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia on June 25, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — Iraq vs Norway
Who is playing in Iraq vs Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Iraq face Norway on June 25, 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field. The match features Iraq's 4-2-3-1 system under head coach Jesús Casas against Norway's 4-3-3 shape managed by Ståle Solbakken.
What time does Iraq vs Norway kick off?
Kick-off is scheduled for the local match time shown above. Check your local broadcaster for timezone conversion. FIFA recommends arriving at the stadium at least 90 minutes before kick-off.
Where is Iraq vs Norway being played?
The match takes place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, USA. The stadium has a capacity of 69,176 spectators.
How to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets for Iraq vs Norway?
Tickets are available through the official FIFA Ticketing portal at fifa.com/tickets. Categories range from $60 (Category 3) to $450+ (Hospitality). Create a FIFA ID and select your preferred seating tier during the sales phase.
What formation will Iraq and Norway use?
Iraq typically line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Jesús Casas, while Norway favour a 4-3-3 system with Ståle Solbakken. Expected lineups are listed in the team sheets above.
Who are the key players to watch in Iraq vs Norway?
For Iraq, watch Jalal Hassan in attack. For Norway, Ørjan Nyland leads the line. Both teams rely on experienced midfield engines to control tempo.
What TV channel is broadcasting Iraq vs Norway?
Broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are held by Fox Sports (USA), TelevisaUnivision (Mexico), TSN (Canada), BBC/ITV (UK), ARD/ZDF (Germany), and beIN Sports (Middle East). Check your local listings for the exact channel in your territory.
Has Iraq ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Iraq have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Group stage (1986).
Has Norway ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Norway have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Group stage (1938, 1994, 1998).
All tickets are sold through the official FIFA Ticketing Portal. Create a FIFA ID to purchase Category 1–3 or Hospitality packages. Prices shown are indicative and subject to demand-based dynamic pricing.