Twenty-eight years. That’s how long Norwegian football fans have waited to see their national team return to the FIFA World Cup finals since their last appearance in 1998. In that time, a child born in 1998 could have grown into adulthood, started a family, and had children of their own. Norway’s impressive qualifying campaign and the talented generation currently at their disposal have raised expectations that they could make a significant impact at this year’s tournament.
In their opening Group I fixture, Norway will face Iraq. This is only Iraq’s second appearance at a World Cup finals, following their debut in 1986—meaning Iraqi supporters have actually waited even longer than their Norwegian counterparts.
Iraq made headlines earlier this month by securing an impressive 1-1 draw away against European champions Spain. However, their subsequent 0-2 defeat to Venezuela suggested that the Asian side may not be as unpredictable as initially thought.
Although Norway’s warm-up friendlies produced mixed results—one win, two draws, and one defeat—their corner-kick production remained consistently strong, averaging close to six corners per match during that period.
By contrast, Iraq have struggled to generate corners recently, earning just 2, 3, 3, and 2 corners respectively in their last four matches. Based on these numbers, Norway appear to offer significant value in the corner handicap market.
Full-Match Corner Betting Pick
Pick: Norway – Corner Handicap & Under Total Corners
First-Half Corner Betting Analysis
Despite being a traditional Nordic side, Norway’s current generation prefers a possession-based approach focused on controlled build-up play and short passing combinations rather than direct attacking football.
As a result, only two of Norway’s last ten matches have gone over the first-half corner line. Iraq’s numbers are even lower, with six of their last eight matches seeing them win no more than one corner during the opening 45 minutes.
Given these trends, a low first-half corner count looks likely.
First-Half Corner Betting Pick
Pick: Norway & Under First-Half Corners
Team News
Iraq
Iraq are expected to field their strongest available lineup, featuring veteran goalkeeper Jalal Hassan and an attacking trio of Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jasim, and Ali Al-Hamadi.
Norway
Norway have a fully fit squad available, with star striker Erling Haaland, captain Martin Ødegaard, and rising winger Antonio Nusa all expected to start.
Predicted Lineups
Iraq
Hassan; Ali, Tahseen, Sulaka, Doski; Al-Ammari, Iqbal; Bayesh, Jasim, Al-Hamadi; Hussein.
Norway
Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Recent Form & Head-to-Head
Iraq – Last 10 Matches
(Refer to recent form statistics.)
Norway – Last 10 Matches
(Refer to recent form statistics.)
Head-to-Head Record
Iraq and Norway have never faced each other in an official match.
Recommended Corner Bets
Full Match
- Norway to win the corner handicap
- Under total corners
First Half
- Norway to win the first-half corner handicap
- Under first-half total corners
Predicted Corner Count: Norway 6–8 corners, Iraq 2–3 corners. Total corners projected: 8–10.