Led by young goal-scoring sensation Erling Haaland, Norway defeated Iraq 1-4 on Tuesday at Boston Stadium, marking the World Cup return of both nations and their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The victory was a historic one, as it became just the third World Cup win in the Red Vikings’ four tournament appearances.

A LONG-AWAITED RETURN AND A REVIVED DREAM

This was Norway’s second World Cup victory on American soil. In their second tournament appearance, at USA 1994, they opened their campaign with a 1–0 win over Mexico on June 19 in Group E—the infamous “Group of Death”—at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.

That triumph represented the nation’s first-ever World Cup victory. Their debut had come at France 1938, where they suffered a 2–1 extra-time defeat to Italy at Marseille’s famous Stade Vélodrome.

Norway’s second World Cup win arrived four years later at France 1998. In a moment of redemption half a century in the making, they stunned defending champions Brazil 2–1 in the group stage, earning a place in the Round of 16.

Now, 28 years after their last appearance on football’s biggest stage, Norway are back—and they have returned in style. Their emphatic victory over Iraq showcased the quality of a squad packed with talent from across Europe’s top leagues.

THE GHOSTS OF THE PAST

The challenge now is to maintain that momentum against Senegal and France as Norway chase only their second-ever qualification for the knockout rounds.

Back at USA 1994, they endured one of the most remarkable group-stage outcomes in World Cup history. Norway finished bottom of a group containing Mexico, Ireland and Italy despite all four teams ending on four points.

Now sitting atop Group I, Norway hope this golden generation can finally deliver a deep World Cup run. The expansion to 48 teams has opened new opportunities for nations like the Scandinavians, who narrowly missed out on qualification for Qatar 2022 when the tournament still featured 32 teams.

One thing is certain: they will not have to face Italy this time around.

The Azzurri have long haunted Norway’s World Cup history. Italy eliminated them in their first-ever World Cup match in 1938, defeated them in the group stage at USA 1994—a result that contributed to Norway’s early exit—and knocked them out again in the Round of 16 at France 1998 in Marseille.

This time, however, Norway have already left those ghosts behind before the tournament even began. With Haaland leading the way and confidence surging through the squad, the Red Vikings believe a new chapter is waiting to be written.

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