Story perspectives

Haaland Scores, Norway Leads 1-0 in World Cup Opener

6/17/2026

Summary

**Haaland Scores**

Norway led 1-0 after Erling Haaland’s 29th-minute goal at Gillette Stadium on June 16, 2026.
The match opened Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with Iraq (ranked 57th) returning after 1986 and Norway (ranked 31st) back since 1998 as –600-odd favorites.
Norway’s attack features Manchester City striker Haaland (55 goals in 50 caps) and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, while Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho officiates.

Summary

**Haaland Betting**

The match will air on FOX and FS1 (English), Telemundo and Peacock (Spanish), and stream via FOX Sports app.
FanDuel lists Norway at –475, Iraq at +1200, a Norway –1.5 spread at –164 and a 2.5-goal over/under at –178.
PrizePicks offers Norway a 1.16× payout to win outright, Iraq an 11.11× payout on the spread, and a Taco Tuesday discount on Haaland’s shots plus a new-user bonus for FanDuel sign-ups.

Summary

**Yarrow Stages Viking**

Photographer David Yarrow staged a Viking-themed shoot of Norway’s squad on a beach, and the images went viral.
Fans will perform a synchronized “Viking row” in the stands, wearing helmets and drumming.
Critics call the Viking imagery chauvinistic, with commentator Markus Slettholm likening it to neo-Nazi symbolism.
BBC says proceeds from the photo will be donated to Norwegian charities, while Boston’s MBTA closed Summer Street on June 16 for the match.

History

Historical Context

Norway’s football rose from a 1938 World Cup loss and 1936 Olympic bronze to a 1990s golden era under coach Egil “Drillo” Olsen, when the team reached a FIFA No. 2 ranking and qualified for 1994 and 1998. After Euro 2000 the side missed every major finals, ending a 28-year World Cup drought that ends with 2026 qualification and a Group I opener in Foxborough.

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**Haaland Scores**

Norway led 1-0 after Erling Haaland’s 29th-minute goal at Gillette Stadium on June 16, 2026.
The match opened Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with Iraq (ranked 57th) returning after 1986 and Norway (ranked 31st) back since 1998 as –600-odd favorites.
Norway’s attack features Manchester City striker Haaland (55 goals in 50 caps) and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, while Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho officiates.

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