FIFA World Cup 2026: Erling Haaland Set for World Cup Debut as Norway Face Iraq

Erling Haaland is set to make his long-awaited FIFA World Cup debut as Norway take on Iraq in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I opener at Boston Stadium.

The match marks Norway’s return to the FIFA World Cup after nearly 28 years, with the Scandinavian side qualifying for the tournament for the first time since the 1998 edition.

Haaland Ready for World Cup Stage

Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken confirmed that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is fully fit ahead of the opening fixture.

According to Solbakken, the Norwegian star benefited from a short break after the club season and has looked increasingly sharp during training sessions leading into the tournament.

Haaland was one of Norway’s standout performers during qualification, scoring 16 goals as the team finished the European qualifiers with a perfect record.

Norway Return After 28-Year Absence

Norway secured their World Cup place thanks to the expanded 48-team tournament format introduced for the 2026 edition.

The team enters the competition with a strong attacking lineup built around:

• Martin Ødegaard
• Erling Haaland
• Alexander Sørloth

Group I is expected to be highly competitive, also featuring last edition’s runners-up France and African champions Senegal.

Iraq Aim to Cause Surprise

Iraq enter the match as underdogs but are expected to rely heavily on defensive organisation under head coach Jesús Casas.

The team usually operates with a compact defensive setup designed to frustrate opponents and create opportunities through quick counter-attacks.

Iraq’s biggest challenge will likely be containing Norway’s powerful attacking duo of Haaland and Sørloth.

Match Details

Norway vs Iraq – FIFA World Cup 2026

• Date: June 17, 2026 (India time)
• Venue: Boston Stadium
• Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I

Argentina vs Algeria Match Details Also Confirmed

Meanwhile, fans are also preparing for the Group J clash between Argentina and Algeria.

Argentina vs Algeria – FIFA World Cup 2026

• Date: Tuesday, June 16 (Wednesday IST)
• Kick-off Time: 6:30 AM IST
• Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Where to Watch in India

The Argentina vs Algeria FIFA World Cup 2026 match will be broadcast live on:

• Unite8 Sports 1
• Unite8 Sports 1 HD
• Unite8 Sports 2
• Unite8 Sports 2 HD

Live streaming will also be available on the ZEE5 app and website.