Iraq's World Cup begins Tuesday against Haaland's Norway

Iraq's historic World Cup campaign kicks off Tuesday against Norway in Group I, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard standing between your side and a dream start. The Norwegian attack is the obvious threat, but Graham Arnold's men go in knowing this is the moment Iraqi football has waited a generation for. Aymen Hussein will be fired up to lead the line after that ugly seven-hour airport detention, and the squad carries a quiet belief that goes beyond the odds. The unknown scoreline from the Spain friendly leaves questions, but also possibilities (1).