Group play of the 2026 World Cup resumes on Tuesday, and this will be the second-to-last day of opening games before we advance to the second round of matchdays. Today, it's Groups I and J taking the spotlight to get their World Cup journeys started. Below, I'll dive into each of the four matches from a betting angle, providing my top plays on the pitch. Here are my best 2026 World Cup picks for Tuesday's Iraq vs. Norway.
Catch Top-Flight Soccer Action on DAZN>>
Tuesday's Best 2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions: Iraq vs. Norway
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Iraq (+1400) vs. Norway (-525), DRAW (+600) | O/U 2.5 (-175/+140)
Norway's men's national team has gone 28 years without playing a World Cup game, but that hiatus will come to an end when they square off against Iraq on Tuesday. The Norwegians are sizable -525 favorites to win this contest, and they're also -900 to qualify for the knockout stage. Kick-off is set for 6:00 p.m. ET from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
Norway should take care of business in this one. However, we do have to draw the line somewhere, and I'm willing to bet that this inexperienced side won't embarrass Iraq in the opener. I'll take Iraq -2 on Tuesday.
Norway does have its flaws. Don't let the top-end talent of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard fool you; this nation is ranked as the 31st-best team in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking. They're also sputtering entering the tournament, having gone just 1-2-1 in their four friendlies leading up to the World Cup.
Finally, it's worth noting that Norway has conceded at least one goal in six of its last seven matches. There are a few factors suggesting that Iraq can keep this game competitive. Let's back them on the alt spread.
Bet: Iraq +2 (-125)
