Group I is France’s to lose, but the Norwegians still have something to say about it.
Norway enters World Cup 2026 with the second-best odds to win the group at +300 and 33/1 odds to win the tournament.
It gets a soft opener to its group play stage against Iraq, which is making only its first appearance in the World Cup in the 21st century and second overall.
On paper and in form, Norway wins this game six ways to Sunday. Oddsmakers are pricing them at -400 against the Iraqis, and I’m looking to bet them to win in both halves for the plus-money value.
The Norwegians went through UEFA qualifying with a perfect 8-0-0 record, scoring 37 goals and conceding only five. That wasn’t against any scrubs, either — they topped Italy twice in that run and set the margin between them and mid-tier nations.
The only other team that pulled that off was England.
At the center of it all is Erling Haaland, who scored 16 goals in qualifying and has already become Norway’s all-time leading scorer. His combination of power, movement, and ruthless finishing gives Norway a constant edge in matches where chances are limited.
Aside from him is Martin Ødegaard, who dictates tempo from midfield with elite creativity (seven assists in qualifying), while wingers like Antonio Nusa add pace and unpredictability in transition.
Their compact 4-4-2 shape absorbs pressure, but once they win the ball, they explode forward, often turning defense into a scoring chance seamlessly.
Let’s give credit where it’s due to Iraq. They needed a grueling 21-match qualification campaign (13-3-5) to get here — the longest of any team on the road to North America. That journey showcased the heart, discipline, and defensive structure, but at the same time, it also highlighted a team that often had to fight for every result.
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But their strength lies in work rate and organization rather than individual match-winners. Players like Mohanad Ali and Ali Al-Hamadi offer threat in flashes, but Iraq’s lack of consistent elite-level finishing and experience at this stage makes sustained pressure difficult.
Their defense can be exposed by a threat like Haaland, and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan is sure to be the busiest player on the pitch.
THE PLAY: Norway to win both halves (+138, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
