The Iraq national football team kicks off the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway. The Iraq national team begins its participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a match against Norway, as part of the first round of the group stage. The Lions of Mesopotamia are seeking to achieve a positive result at the start of their campaign in the tournament against a European team that has a number of experienced players. The Iraq national team will face Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The match will start at 1 am Baghdad and Mecca time and 2 am Abu Dhabi time. The expected lineup for the Iraq national team against Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup includes goalkeeper Fahad Talib, defenders Hussein Ali, Rebin Sulaka, Zaid Tahseen, and Mirchas Douski. The midfielders are Amer Al-Amari, Zidan Iqbal, and Ibrahim Bayesh. The forwards are Ali Jassim, Ali Al-Hamadi, and Aymen Hussein. The expected lineup for Norway against the Iraq national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup includes goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, defenders Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Hegheim, and David Muller Wolf. The midfielders are Martin Odegaard, Patrick Berg, and Fredrik Aursnes. The forwards are Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, and Antonio Nusa. The Iraq national team is considered one of the old champions in the region, having achieved many important achievements in its history. The Iraqi team has a group of talented players who are considered among the best in the region.