Iraq’s national football team suffered a 4-1 defeat against Norway in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The Group 9 opener took place at Gillette Stadium, marking a challenging start to their journey. Despite the loss, head coach Jesús Casas expressed determination, stating the team will “fight until the end.” This match represents a historic moment for Iraqi football as they compete to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup. Norway demonstrated a strong performance, securing a decisive victory over the Iraqi side. The result places pressure on Iraq as they move forward in the qualifying stages. Further matches will be crucial for Iraq to advance within their group.