The story before a ball is kicked
Iraq arrive in Group I as the underdog seed with 0 Premier League players in their squad. Norway share that group as the underdog seed with 7 PL regulars.
The two meet directly in the group stage. The result is critical — Group I's order through R32 is decided across just three matchdays, and head-to-head between equally-ranked teams is the second tiebreaker after points.
The pre-match weight of evidence leans Norway's way clearly. Below: a six-dimension head-to-head, the Premier League club distribution per squad, and the Onside verdict.
Build your XI for each side — share, save, replay
Tap eleven players for each nation. Pitch visualises your selections (4-3-3 schematic). Saved on this device so you can return to refine. Hit Share to post both XIs to X.
Iraq vs Norway — where each one wins
Each row scores the two teams 0–100 on a dimension. Longer bar = stronger. The colour-coded chip on the right names the winner of each axis.
Whose PL players are at the World Cup
If you own any of these clubs' assets in FPL, this matchup matters to your pre-season — tournament minutes here become Saturday minutes in August.
No current Premier League regulars in this 26-man squad. Iraq's tournament path won't directly shape FPL 2026/27 ownership decisions, but breakout performers here often become next-season targets.
Where Norway's 7 PL players come from
For FPL managers: if you own any of these clubs' assets, Norway's tournament minutes shape your pre-season. Fulham leads with 2 players (29%).
Edge to Norway · clearly
- ·Norway sit #31 in the FIFA world ranking — 26 places clear of Iraq.
- ·Norway's squad carries 7 Premier League regulars vs Iraq's 0 — sharper match-fitness coming into the tournament.
- ·Historical confederation strength leans heavily Norway's way — every WC since 1934 has been won by a UEFA or CONMEBOL side.
| Axis | Iraq | Norway | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form | 43 | 70 | NOR +26 |
| PL footprint | 0 | 32 | NOR +32 |
| Host edge | 0 | 0 | level |
| Group seed | 25 | 50 | NOR +25 |
| Confed | 50 | 92 | NOR +42 |
| Experience | 36 | 82 | NOR +46 |
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