Top News

BANGKAPOS.COM – Group I heats up right from the opening gameweek! Iraq and Norway are set to clash in what promises to be an intense and emotionally charged encounter at Boston Stadium on Wednesday (June 17) at 05:00 WIB.

Both teams carry a shared mission: to mark their return to the World Cup finals with nothing less than a victory.

Iraq, who have endured a 40-year wait since their exit from the 1986 Mexico edition, are determined not to let Norway derail their ambitions so easily.

On the other hand, Norway are also making their comeback to the global stage after last reaching the Round of 16 in the 1998 World Cup in France.

However, the paths taken by Iraq and Norway to secure their tickets to the 2026 World Cup were quite different.

Iraq had to endure a long and arduous qualification journey, playing a total of 21 matches spanning from the second to the fifth rounds of the AFC qualifiers.

The team, nicknamed the Lions of Mesopotamia, finally sealed their World Cup berth after defeating Bolivia, the CONMEBOL representative, in the inter-confederation playoff final.

In contrast, Norway’s route to the finals was considerably smoother, requiring only eight matches in the UEFA qualifying zone.

Remarkably, in those eight fixtures, Stale Solbakken’s side achieved a perfect record—winning every single match.

They also showcased an exceptional attacking prowess, netting a total of 37 goals across those eight qualifying games.

Norway’s star forward and Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, played a pivotal role, contributing a remarkable 16 goals during the campaign.

Midfielder Patrick Berg expressed confidence that Norway are stronger than Iraq, but the Bodo/Glimt player stressed that they will not underestimate their opponents.

Berg emphasized that the team must deliver their best performance, as every World Cup match comes with its own surprises and challenges.

Head-to-Head: Iraq vs Norway

Historically, these two national teams have never faced each other in any official competitive match, making this encounter a historic first for both nations.

Last 5 Matches – Iraq

10/06/2026: Iraq vs Venezuela 0-2 (Friendly)
05/06/2026: Spain vs Iraq 1-1 (Friendly)
29/05/2026: Iraq vs Andorra 1-0 (Friendly)
01/04/2026: Iraq vs Bolivia 2-1 (Playoff)
12/12/2025: Jordan vs Iraq 1-0 (Friendly)

Last 5 Matches – Norway

08/06/2026: Morocco vs Norway 1-1 (Friendly)
02/06/2026: Norway vs Sweden 3-1 (Friendly)
31/03/2026: Norway vs Switzerland 0-0 (Friendly)
28/03/2026: Netherlands vs Norway 2-1 (Friendly)
17/11/2025: Italy vs Norway 1-4 (Friendly)

Predicted Line-ups: Iraq vs Norway

Here are the likely line-ups and formations expected to be deployed by Graham Arnold and Stale Solbakken.

Iraq (4-4-2): Hassan; Ali, Younis, Hashem, Doski; Farji, Al Ammari, Sher, Bayesh; Hussein, Al Hamadi.
Coach: Graham Arnold.

Norway (4-4-2): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Bobb, Berge, Odegaard, Nusa; Haaland, Sorloth.
Coach: Stale Solbakken.

Iraq vs Norway Score Prediction

Considering Norway’s attacking firepower, led by Erling Haaland and supported by the creativity of Martin Odegaard, the European side are heavily favoured to win this match. Iraq, meanwhile, are expected to adopt a defensive approach and rely on quick counterattacks.

Several leading global statistics platforms have placed Norway as the strong favourites to secure a convincing victory in this Group I opener:

• Sportsmole: Iraq vs Norway 1-3
• Whoscored: Iraq vs Norway 0-3
• Sports Illustrated: Iraq vs Norway 0-3

Turkish Fans in Pangkalpinang Left Disappointed

Meanwhile, the opening Group D match of the 2026 World Cup between Australia and Turkey at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday (June 14, 2026) local time, produced an intense and surprising contest. The Socceroos overturned expectations with a crucial victory, leaving Turkish supporters in Pangkalpinang disappointed.

From the very first whistle, Turkey took the initiative with aggressive attacks. However, their offensive enthusiasm backfired on the Crescent Stars.

In a lightning counterattack down the left flank, young Australian winger Nestory Irankunda fired a precise shot that Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir failed to stop, giving Australia a 1-0 lead.

Trailing by a goal, Turkey increased their tempo and controlled the midfield, pressing Australia’s defence relentlessly. Despite numerous attempts, the Socceroos’ solid defensive structure ensured the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

After the break, Turkey’s determination intensified as they dominated possession in search of an equaliser. But their control did not translate into goals.

Against the run of play, Australia doubled their advantage through a stunning strike from Connor Metcalfe. Exploiting space outside the penalty area, Metcalfe unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that once again beat Ugurcan Cakir.

Statistically, Turkey had always held a superior head-to-head record against Australia before this match. However, that record was broken at BC Place. When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read 2-0 in favour of Australia.

The unexpected win left many football fans in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, disappointed after gathering for a public viewing event on Sunday (June 14, 2026) afternoon WIB.

One local fan, Antok, admitted that the match was thrilling. He said he had rooted for Turkey to avenge Indonesia’s previous qualification loss to Australia.

“What can I say? Australia’s defence was simply solid. Turkey’s repeated attacks failed to find the net—perhaps it just wasn’t their day,” Antok told Bangkapos.com on Sunday (June 14, 2026).

Antok acknowledged that the strength of both nations has changed significantly, with new squads and coaches compared to past encounters. Despite his disappointment, he expressed hope that Turkey will recover quickly in their next match.

“My hope is that Turkey can evaluate their performance and stay in the race to advance from Group D in the 2026 World Cup,” he concluded.