Norway beats Iraq in World Cup opener at Foxboro stadium

Norway opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a victory over Iraq at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It was Norway's first appearance at a World Cup since reaching the round of 16 in 1998, and the team entered the tournament after a perfect qualifying record of eight wins, scoring 37 goals while conceding five. Leading the attack were Erling Haaland, who had scored 38 goals that season, and Alexander Sørloth, while captain Martin Ødegaard returned after winning the Premier League with Arsenal.

Local residents described the match as a lively experience, comparing the atmosphere to "a Super Bowl and a Taylor Swift concert combined." Fans said traffic was manageable and many enjoyed the presence of Scottish supporters. Some local vendors tried to profit from parking demand, but overall the community reported a positive reception to the World Cup event.

The win positions Norway as a potential contender in the tournament, while Iraq, making its first World Cup appearance since 1986, struggled to keep pace with Norway's firepower.