Erling Haaland Makes His Mark in Highly Anticipated World Cup Debut for Norway

One of the most anticipated debuts of the 2026 World Cup arrived on Tuesday, as Manchester City forward Erling Haaland made his first-ever tournament appearance — and he delivered in spectacular fashion.

Norway cruised past Iraq 4–1 on the back of a brace from the brilliant Haaland, who helped secure the nation's first World Cup win in 28 years.

Few strikers this decade have been as lethal as Haaland. Heading into the World Cup, the forward had accumulated 351 senior goals across club and international football, yet had never appeared in a senior tournament.

"Qualifying for the World Cup is something truly special," Haaland told ESPN ahead of the tournament, with Norway having missed out on the previous six editions. "I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be incredible. Finally."

At 25 years old and six years after netting nine goals in a single game at the 2019 U-20 World Cup, Haaland announced himself on football's biggest stage in emphatic style.

Erling Haaland vs. Iraq

A Dream Start

It took just six minutes to make it crystal clear that Iraq's defensive line was completely outclassed by the force of nature that is Haaland. Zaid Tahseen hesitated a fraction too long to challenge an aerial ball, and Haaland stormed in like a freight train to win the header and burst forward. He reached the byline, but unfortunately his cutback for the onrushing Alexander Sørloth was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

An awkward header over the bar from a corner was Haaland's only other involvement before the cooling break, but he ignited shortly after. A slick move down the left saw Antonio Nusa release David Møller Wolfe down the flank. The Wolves defender whipped a cross toward the far post, and Haaland arrived to poke out his left foot and tuck home Norway's long-awaited opener. It took just 29 minutes for the three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner to get off the mark at a World Cup.

The goal breathed life into a previously quiet Haaland, who shortly after dropped a touch deeper to collect possession, shrug off his marker, and set up Sørloth inside the box. However, the Atlético Madrid striker took one touch too many and his subsequent effort was blocked. With hindsight, Haaland might have been better off pulling the trigger himself from the edge of the area.

Iraq leveled through a well-worked move in the 39th minute, but it took only four minutes for Haaland to seize control once more and restore Norway's lead. The striker relentlessly pressed Iraq's attempted build-up play, and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slightly too casual in his clearance. That brief moment of hesitation was all Haaland needed, closing in on the keeper. In a scrambled sequence, the ball deflected off his foot and into the net. A first-half brace on his World Cup debut — Haaland at his very best.

A defensive contribution in stoppage time, combined with two goals from just four shots, capped off a sensational first-half display from Haaland.

A Tame Second Half

Haaland was unable to replicate that same level of dominance after the break, as Iraq grew into the contest and Norway struggled nervously to manage their lead, failing to build sustained spells of possession in the attacking third.

The center forward dropped deeper to act as an outlet for his teammates, but operating away from the penalty area and inside his own half, he became less effective and struggled to connect with those around him, misplacing a few passes.

Haaland faded from the game for a lengthy spell in the second half, yet Norway eventually extended their lead through a Leo Østigård header. In the 83rd minute, Haaland had a golden chance to complete a hat-trick after another defensive gift from Iraq, but the angle tightened and his left-footed effort was denied by Hassan, who rushed off his line to produce a fine stop.

The crowning moment of Haaland's performance arrived deep in stoppage time, when he showcased his extraordinary leap to meet a cross at the back post, heading it back into the danger area, where Kristian Thorstvedt won the aerial duel and somehow bundled home Norway's fourth. It was later ruled an own goal by Ayman Hussein.

Two goals and a near-assist to seal Norway's first tournament victory in nearly three decades and send them to the summit of Group I — Haaland lived up to every expectation.

The Numbers That Explain Erling Haaland's Brilliant World Cup Debut

Erling Haaland scoring goals on the world stage. pic.twitter.com/0pGxaEfBDD

When Do Norway, Erling Haaland Play Next?

Norway return to action on Monday when they face Senegal at MetLife Stadium. Senegal will be eager to bounce back after losing to France, but Haaland and company will be looking to secure their spot in the knockout rounds with another win.

After that comes the defining fixture of Norway's group stage campaign — a clash with France back at Gillette Stadium on June 26, a match that could well determine who tops Group I.