Norway's long-awaited return to the World Cup stage arrived with a familiar sight: Erling Haaland finding the back of the net.

The Manchester City striker scored twice in the first half as Norway opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. For a nation making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, the result was both a statement and a reminder of just how far this Norwegian generation can go when its biggest star is firing.

Haaland entered the tournament carrying enormous expectations. Despite becoming one of the most prolific scorers in world football, he had never appeared at a major international tournament. It took him less than half an hour to announce himself.

After a patient Norwegian move that stretched Iraq's defense, David Møller Wolfe delivered a low cross across the six-yard box and Haaland arrived at the back post to slide home his first World Cup goal in the 29th minute.

Norway looked in complete control. Antonio Nusa repeatedly found space down the left flank, Martin Ødegaard dictated possession, and Iraq struggled to contain the movement of Haaland and Alexander Sørloth.

Yet just as Norway appeared poised to pull away, Iraq produced one of the moments of the night.

A slick counterattack saw Amir Al-Ammari float a cross into the penalty area, where veteran striker Aymen Hussein rose above the Norwegian defense and powered a header into the bottom corner. The goal, only Iraq's second ever at a World Cup, briefly stunned the heavily Norwegian crowd.

The parity lasted just four minutes.

A harmless back pass turned disastrous when goalkeeper Jalal Hassan hesitated under pressure from Haaland. The striker closed him down, Hassan's clearance ricocheted off the Norwegian forward, and the ball bounced into the net. It wasn't the prettiest goal of Haaland's career, but it restored Norway's lead and shifted momentum back in their favor before halftime.

To Iraq's credit, the match remained competitive well into the second half. Hussein continued to threaten, while Al-Ammari and Ali Jasim found pockets of space through midfield. Norway, meanwhile, looked dangerous but not entirely comfortable.

The breakthrough that finally killed the contest arrived in the 76th minute. Just minutes after entering the match, Leo Østigård powered home a header from Ødegaard's corner to make it 3-1 and remove any lingering doubt.

Haaland nearly completed his hat trick late on, only for Hassan to produce a sharp save. Norway still found a fourth in stoppage time when pressure inside the box forced Hussein into an unfortunate own goal.

The final score may have flattered Norway slightly, but the result leaves Ståle Solbakken's side level on points with France atop Group I. More importantly, it delivered exactly what Norway hoped for from its opening match: three points and a World Cup debut to remember for Haaland.

After years of waiting, Norway's golden generation has finally arrived on football's biggest stage. And its biggest star is already making headlines.