Iraq vs Norway World Cup 2026: Time, TV Channel & Haaland

Here is the quick answer: Iraq vs Norway at the World Cup 2026 kicks off on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00pm ET (3:00pm PT, 4:00pm in Mexico City and 12:00am Wednesday in Paris) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, just outside Boston, Massachusetts. It is a Group I match - Match 18 of the tournament - and in the United States you can watch it on FOX (or FS1) in English and Telemundo in Spanish. This is the night Erling Haaland finally arrives on the World Cup stage, against an Iraq side back among the world's elite for the first time in 40 years.

Iraq vs Norway World Cup 2026: kickoff time and how to watch in USA, Canada and Mexico

The Group I opener is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00pm Eastern Time, which is 3:00pm on the Pacific coast, 4:00pm in Mexico City and a post-midnight 12:00am Wednesday for the Norwegian and Iraqi diaspora following from Paris and across Europe (CET). Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots in Foxborough, hosts the match - a comfortable evening slot for fans across North America, whether you travelled to Boston or are watching from the couch.

In the United States, FOX Sports carries every match across FOX and FS1 in English, while Telemundo and Universo handle the Spanish-language coverage. In Canada, Bell Media shows all 104 matches: TSN and CTV in English, with RDS providing French commentary for Quebec and francophone viewers. Mexico is a co-host nation, so domestic broadcasters carry full coverage in Spanish. The catch is that no single subscription gives you every feed: a Q4TV subscription brings FOX, Telemundo, TSN, RDS, CTV and the international feeds together in one place, in 4K Ultra HD.

Iraq vs Norway match preview: Haaland's debut against the Lions of Mesopotamia

This is a meeting of two long-awaited returns. Norway are at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year absence in the most emphatic way imaginable: a perfect UEFA qualifying campaign of eight wins from eight, scoring 37 goals - the most of any European team in qualifying. The engine of that run was Erling Haaland, who plundered 16 goals to finish joint-top scorer in European qualifying and arrives in the USA as the most feared striker on the planet, finally on the biggest stage of all at 25.

Iraq, the Lions of Mesopotamia, are back at the World Cup for the first time since their 1986 debut - a 40-year wait. Coached by Australian Graham Arnold, they reached North America by beating Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off and lean on midfield organiser Amir Al Ammari, creative winger Ali Jasim and experienced goalscorer Aymen Hussein. On paper Norway are heavy favourites, but Iraq are a disciplined, physical side who will sit deep and make Haaland and his supporting cast - captain Martin Odegaard and striker Alexander Sorloth among them - work for every chance.

The stakes are clear in a daunting Group I that also contains 2018 world champions France and African powerhouse Senegal. With only the top two guaranteed to advance - plus the best third-placed teams under the new 48-team format - both Norway and Iraq know that points dropped here could decide their tournament before they ever face the bigger names.

"Eight wins from eight, 37 goals and Haaland in the form of his life - Norway have not arrived at a World Cup carrying this much belief in nearly three decades."

Norway's full Group I schedule at the 2026 World Cup

Under the new 48-team format, the 12 group winners and runners-up, plus the eight best third-placed teams, reach the round of 32. Here is Norway's complete group-stage program:

• Iraq vs Norway: Tuesday, June 16 - 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT / 4:00pm Mexico City / 12:00am Wed Paris, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts (Match 18)
• Norway vs Senegal: Monday, June 22 - 8:00pm ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey - a Group I showdown with the Lions of Teranga (Match 41)
• Norway vs France: Friday, June 26 - 3:00pm ET / 9:00pm Paris, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough - a likely group decider against Les Bleus (Match 61)

That closing fixture against France, back in Foxborough, could decide who tops the group, which is why a confident start against Iraq matters so much for Stale Solbakken's side.

Watch Iraq vs Norway - and every World Cup 2026 match - in 4K with Q4TV

Whether you are in Boston, Toronto, Mexico City or watching from Oslo and Baghdad, the real challenge is pulling every broadcaster into one place. With a Q4TV subscription you get 79,000+ live channels and 249,000+ movies and series on demand, including FOX, Telemundo, TSN, RDS, CTV, beIN and international feeds, all in 4K Ultra HD on dedicated anti-buffering servers built for live sport.

Activation is instant, support is available 24/7 on Telegram, and plans start at $15 for a full month with no contract - roughly $30 covers the entire 39-day tournament. Q4TV works on Amazon Firestick, Samsung and LG Smart TVs, Apple TV, Android and iOS, with players like TiviMate, IBO Player Pro and IPTV Smarters. Set it up in minutes and be ready when the referee blows the first whistle on June 16.

Iraq vs Norway World Cup 2026 FAQ

What time is Iraq vs Norway at the World Cup 2026?

Kickoff is Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00pm ET - that is 3:00pm PT, 4:00pm in Mexico City and 12:00am Wednesday in Paris (CET).

What channel is Iraq vs Norway on?

In the USA it airs on FOX (or FS1) in English and Telemundo in Spanish. In Canada it is on TSN and CTV in English, with RDS in French. Q4TV carries all of these feeds in 4K in one place.

Where is Iraq vs Norway being played?

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, just outside Boston - Match 18 of the 2026 World Cup group stage.

Is this Erling Haaland's first World Cup?

Yes. Iraq vs Norway is Erling Haaland's World Cup debut, as Norway return to the tournament for the first time since 1998.