Erling Haaland scored two goals to lead Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their FIFA World Cup debut [1].

The win marks a significant milestone for the Norwegian striker, who had not previously appeared in the tournament. By securing three points in the Group I opening match, Norway establishes an early advantage in the competition.

The match took place on June 16, 2026 [2], in Foxborough, Massachusetts [3]. Haaland's performance was the centerpiece of the Norwegian attack, as he netted his first-ever World Cup goal and subsequently added a second [1]. In addition to his scoring efforts, the striker provided an assist during the contest [1].

Norway dominated the match to finish with a final score of 4-1 [1]. The victory provides the team with critical momentum as they navigate the group stage of the tournament in the U.S. [3].

Iraq struggled to contain the Norwegian offense throughout the game. While the Iraqi side attempted to respond, they were unable to overcome the clinical finishing of Haaland and his teammates. The result leaves Iraq searching for points in their remaining group fixtures to keep their hopes of advancement alive.

“Erling Haaland scored two goals to lead Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq.”

This result positions Norway as a formidable contender in Group I and validates the expectation that Haaland would be a primary offensive force on the world stage. A dominant opening win not only provides the necessary points for progression but also establishes psychological momentum for the squad in their first appearance at this level of competition.