Haaland Arrives: Norway Beat Iraq 4-1 in World Cup Opener


Erling Haaland had waited his entire career for this. On Tuesday night in Foxborough, he made it count.

The Manchester City striker scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener — winning Norway’s first World Cup match in 28 years and announcing themselves as genuine contenders in the toughest group of the tournament.

Haaland was quiet early, touching the ball only three times before the first hydration break. It did not last. His first goal came from David Møller Wolfe’s low cross from the left, which Haaland met with a clinical finish in the 29th minute. Iraq refused to buckle, and Aymen Hussein’s towering header drew them level shortly after — only Iraq’s second World Cup goal in their entire history.

Haaland delivers on World Cup debut as Norway sink spirited Iraq

The equaliser lasted four minutes. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan dallied on a backpass, Haaland pressed immediately and the clearance cannoned off the striker into the net. Two goals. Forty-three minutes. Norway’s joint all-time leading scorer, level with Kjetil Rekdal, before half-time of his first World Cup appearance.

Østigård headed home an Ødegaard corner in the 75th minute to put the game beyond doubt, before Hussein inadvertently turned Haaland’s header into his own net for the fourth. Iraq, to their credit, never stopped trying — Graham Arnold’s side created enough chances to suggest they will not simply roll over against France and Senegal.

Arnold was generous in defeat. “He’s just an amazing number nine,” he said of Haaland. “I just said to him: ‘You’re one of the best number nines I’ve ever seen.’ He’s so strong, so quick and he’s just lethal.”

There was added symmetry to the evening — Haaland’s father Alf-Inge played for Norway at the 1994 World Cup, also held in the United States. Thirty-two years on, his son scored twice on the same soil. “I’m incredibly proud,” Haaland said. “My first goal was nice, the second even nicer.”

Norway face Senegal next at MetLife Stadium on June 22, before a group decider against France. If Tuesday is a guide, both sides have been warned.

Result: Norway 4-1 Iraq
Goals: Haaland (29′, 34′), Hussein (75′ OG), Østigård (75′) | Hussein (40′) for Iraq
Venue: Boston Stadium, Foxborough
Tags: Erling Haaland, Norway, Iraq, FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I, Boston Stadium

Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in Foxborough. The wait is over — and Norway mean business.

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