Iraq fans gather in Boston ahead of World Cup qualifier against Norway

BOSTON, United States — Hundreds of Iraqi supporters have converged on Boston ahead of the national team's 2026 World Cup match against Norway, filling parts of the city with Iraqi flags and team anthems. Fans arrived from several U.S. states, Canada and neighboring countries, gathering near the team's hotel to cheer the squad ahead of the fixture. Supporters, who refer to the team as the "Lions of the Tigris," said they traveled to Boston to back Iraq at a World Cup stage that has returned after roughly four decades. They pledged to fill the stands for the full 90 minutes and to try to deliver a positive result for Iraqis across the country. Flag-waving celebrations continued in city squares and around areas where the team is staying as kickoff approached. The match is scheduled to begin in the early hours local Iraq time.