World Cup matches in Group I kick off tonight, with Iraq taking on Norway. France and Senegal are also in this group, making it one of the toughest to be in. It feels like Norway or Iraq need three points from their opening match to be in with a chance of qualifying to the knockouts.
This makes it a great match to watch for the neutrals, and with this in mind, our betting expert has shared their top betting tips for the match and they have also revealed their favourite betting offers for the 2026 World Cup.
Iraq vs Norway Betting Offers & Free Bets
With some surprise results already in this tournament, fans are definitely expecting some drama when Iraq take on Norway this evening. Norway are the favourite to win the match, but Iraq will take confidence from the fact that the likes of Cape Verde and Australia have picked up big points in the World Cup so far.
With a lot of sign up offers available and World Cup matches on throughout the next month, now is a great time to sign up to some of the best betting sites in the UK.
A good point to note about the sign up offers below is the fact that the free bets you receive are typically split up. So, for example, you get 3x£10 free bets with William Hill. This is very useful as it means you don’t have to use all of your free bets on one game or selection.
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Iraq vs Norway Betting Tips
Norway begin their 2026 tournament campaign against Iraq in a Group I match on Tuesday, 16th June, with the game scheduled to kick off at 11.00pm. Ståle Solbakken’s side are strong favourites to secure three points, and you can read on for our expert’s analysis behind his selections.
Iraq to be Starved of Opportunities
All signs point towards a match where Iraq will have very few opportunities to get forward and test the Norwegian defence. The data suggests they will struggle to register a meaningful number of shots, making the under 7.5 shots market an appealing angle.
In a warm-up game against Spain, a team of comparable standing to Norway, Iraq managed just three shots in the entire match. They are likely to be similarly starved of possession and chances here, as they adopt a low block to try and contain the opposition.
Norway’s defensive record in competitive fixtures is solid. They have conceded fewer than eight shots in five of their last six matches, a run that includes two games against Italy. Across that period, they allowed an average of just 6.67 shots per game, demonstrating a well-organised defensive structure.
Furthermore, in the four matches since the start of 2025 where Norway were priced at 1/5 or shorter to win, this bet has landed every time. Their opponents in those games averaged a mere 4.75 shots, reinforcing the idea that Iraq will find it extremely difficult to create chances.
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Statement Win on the Cards for Solbakken’s Side
With a 28-year absence from the tournament now over, Norway will be eager to make a strong opening statement. Their first fixture against Iraq represents the ideal opportunity to assert their dominance and build momentum for tougher challenges ahead against France and Senegal.
The ‘Win Both Halves’ market has been a consistent winner for Norway. Throughout their eight qualifying matches in Europe, this bet was successful on seven occasions. Their ability to start matches strongly and maintain pressure is a key feature of their tactical approach under Solbakken.
A recent fixture against Israel, where Norway were priced similarly, provides a good benchmark. They secured a comfortable 5-0 victory, scoring three goals in the first half and two in the second, comfortably covering the requirements of this bet. With Haaland leading the line, their attack has the quality to overwhelm weaker opponents from start to finish.
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