Trending

    Norway Defeats Iraq 4-1 in World Cup Opener Led by Erling Haaland's Two Goals

    Section editor: ·Moderate8 articles covering this·9 news sources·Updated 6 hours ago·World
    Share:
    Erling Haaland celebrating his goals in Norway's World Cup match against Iraq.

    Here's what it means for you.

    The resurgence of football in Iraq could reshape regional sports dynamics and investment opportunities.

    What happened

    Erling Haaland scored two goals, leading Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their World Cup opener.

    The Context

    • Historic Returns: This match marked Iraq's first World Cup appearance in 40 years and Norway's return after 28 years.
    • Coaching Optimism: Despite the loss, Iraq's coach Graham Arnold expressed hope for the team's future development.
    • Geopolitical Significance: Iraq's football history has been shaped by challenges, making their participation a symbol of resilience.

    The Number

    4

    — Norway's victory signifies their first World Cup win since 1998, highlighting a significant turnaround for the team.

    Takeaway

    As Iraq aims to improve in upcoming matches, their performance may inspire greater investment and interest in Middle Eastern football.

    8 Articles
    Asharq Al-Awsat

    Erling Haaland Scores Twice in World Cup Debut as Norway Tops Iraq 4-1

    Erling Haaland made a remarkable debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring two goals as Norway triumphed over Iraq with a score of 4-1. This match marked Norway's return to the World Cup after a long absence since 1998, while it was also Iraq's first...

    10 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    The National

    Erling Haaland double spoils Iraq's historic World Cup return but boss Arnold remains positive

    Erling Haaland scored two goals as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant moment for both teams. This match was particularly notable as it represented Iraq's first World Cup appearance in 40 ...

    11 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    Al Jazeera

    Haaland scores two goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on World Cup return

    Erling Haaland scored two goals as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their World Cup return, marking a significant moment for the team and the player. This match was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Norway showcased their strength after a long absenc...

    12 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    Al Jazeera

    Haaland scores two goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on World Cup return

    Erling Haaland scored two goals as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, marking Norway's return to the tournament after a long absence since 1998. This match also represented Iraq's first World Cup appearance in 40 y...

    12 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    Saudi Gazette

    Haaland hits double as Norway cruises past Iraq

    Erling Haaland made a significant impact in his World Cup debut, scoring two goals as Norway secured a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match, held in Foxborough, Massachusetts, marked Norway's first appear...

    13 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    bbc-sport-football

    Highlights: Haaland scores twice in Norway win over Iraq

    Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway secured a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening match of the World Cup 2026 campaign, marking a significant start for the team. This match was particularly notable as it was Norway's first World Cup appearance s...

    14 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    RT Arabic

    العراق يتعرض لهزيمة قاسية أمام النرويج في مونديال 2026 (فيديو)

    The Iraqi national football team faced a significant defeat in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, losing 1-4 to Norway. This match took place on Wednesday as part of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

    14 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    The Guardian

    Norway’s Erling Haaland punishes Iraq with double on World Cup debut

    Erling Haaland made a spectacular debut in the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals in Norway's 4-1 victory over Iraq, marking Iraq's first World Cup appearance in 40 years. Haaland's performance was pivotal, showcasing his talent on the global stage an...

    14 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    guardian-football

    Norway’s Erling Haaland punishes Iraq with double on World Cup debut

    Erling Haaland made a spectacular debut in the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals in Norway's 4-1 victory over Iraq, marking Iraq's first World Cup appearance in 40 years. Haaland's performance was pivotal, showcasing his talent on the global stage an...

    14 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    The Guardian – Sport

    Norway’s Erling Haaland punishes Iraq with double on World Cup debut

    Erling Haaland made a significant impact on his World Cup debut by scoring two goals in Norway's opening match against Iraq, leading to a decisive victory. This performance not only showcased his exceptional talent but also highlighted Norway's aspir...

    14 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    France 24

    World Cup 2026: Haaland double powers Norway to winning start against Iraq

    Erling Haaland made a remarkable debut in the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals as Norway triumphed over Iraq with a score of 4-1. This match marked Iraq's first World Cup appearance in 40 years, showcasing their resilience on the global stage despit...

    15 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    France 24

    World Cup 2026: Haaland double powers Norway to winning start against Iraq

    Erling Haaland made a remarkable impact in his World Cup debut, scoring two goals to lead Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq, who were competing in the tournament for the first time in 40 years. This match marked Norway's first World Cup appearance si...

    15 hours ago
    Read Full Article