Norway vs. Iraq: World Cup 2026 Group I Opener in Boston
Norway vs. Iraq kicks off Group I at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA) on June 16, 2026 — Erling Haaland's first World Cup. Match preview, getting there, and the eSIM for match day.
Published June 10, 2026·5 min read
Summary
Norway vs. Iraq opens Group I at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 16, 2026 — Erling Haaland's first-ever World Cup match, and Norway's first appearance since 1998. Here's the preview, how to get to the 65,000-seat venue, and the one eSIM that keeps you online from kickoff to the final whistle.
The match: Norway vs. Iraq, June 16 in Boston
According to the official Group I schedule, Norway open against Iraq at Gillette Stadium — the 65,000-seat Foxborough venue rebranded "Boston Stadium" for the tournament. Norway, ending a 28-year World Cup absence, lean on Erling Haaland, one of the most lethal strikers in the world. Iraq are back on the World Cup stage for the first time since 1986. See both squads in our Norway fan guide and Iraq fan guide.
The other Group I opener — France vs. Senegal at MetLife Stadium— plays the same day, so the group's shape will be clear within hours. For the full group picture, including the Senegal–Iraq finale in Toronto on June 26, see our Group I preview.
Match-day facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Tue, June 16, 2026 |
| Venue | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (65,000) |
| Group | Group I (with France, Senegal) |
| Nearest airport | Boston Logan (BOS), ~28 mi |
Getting to Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is in Foxborough, about 28 miles south of downtown Boston. The cleanest route is the MBTA event train from South Station to the Foxboro stop, which runs on match days; otherwise it's pre-paid parking or rideshare, both of which back up well before kickoff. Full options are in our Boston getting-there guide, and our eat & stay guide covers where to base yourself. The rest of the slate is in the Boston match schedule.
eSIM vs roaming vs pocket Wi-Fi for World Cup travel
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Low | ~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi) | Excellent (local carrier) |
| Carrier roaming | High | Instant (already enabled) | Medium (partner-dependent) |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Medium | Airport pickup / rental | Good (extra device to charge) |
Mobile tickets in the FIFA World Cup 26™ app, the MBTA event-train schedule, and rideshare back to Boston all run on data, and stadium Wi-Fi buckles under 65,000-plus people. A North America eSIM puts you on T-Mobile or AT&T the moment you land at Boston Logan (BOS) and follows you to any other host city without swapping plans. From US$5 with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card — see the Boston connectivity guide for the full rundown.
FAQ
QWhen and where is Norway vs. Iraq at the 2026 World Cup?
ANorway vs. Iraq kicks off June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (branded "Boston Stadium"). It's a Group I opening match in the Boston host region.
QWhat group are Norway and Iraq in for World Cup 2026?
ABoth are in Group I alongside France and Senegal. Norway vs. Iraq and France vs. Senegal are the two opening Group I fixtures, both played on June 16, 2026.
QHow do I get to Gillette Stadium for the match?
AGillette Stadium is in Foxborough, about 28 miles south of downtown Boston. The MBTA runs special event trains from South Station to the Foxboro stop on match days; otherwise it's pre-paid parking or rideshare, both of which back up well before kickoff.
QWhat's the best way to stay connected on match day?
AA local North America eSIM rides US 5G networks built for stadium crowds, while international roaming often slows to a crawl when 65,000 fans are online at once. Install it before you fly and it works across every host city.
Bottom line
Norway vs. Iraq is the opener fans have circled — Haaland's World Cup debut after a 28-year wait, against a resurgent Iraq. Sort your route to Gillette Stadium, scan the rest of Group I, and grab a World Cup 2026 eSIM so every ticket scan, map, and rideshare just works.