Iraq loses 3-1 to Norway in first World Cup match in 40 years

Iraq's national team fell 3-1 to Norway in its first World Cup appearance in 40 years, according to a sports analysis by the U.S.-based outlet The National. Aymen Hussein equalized in the first half before Norway's Erling Haaland scored twice to secure the win for the 1998 World Cup runners-up. The National detailed Hussein's personal background, including his detention for seven hours in the United States, the killing of his father by al-Qaeda in 2008, and the abduction of his brother by ISIS. The report noted that Iraqi fans traveled from the U.S. and Norway to support the team, with Hussein, Ali Jasim and Ali Al-Hammadi drawing attention for their performances. Head coach Graham Arnold described the group as an "opportunity group," a framing the report said helped shape the players' mindset. Norway, meanwhile, qualified for its first World Cup since 1998 following a decade of investment in football. The National said Hussein scoring Iraq's first World Cup goal in 14,618 days since 1986 was a "dreamlike" moment for the team and its supporters.