Haaland to wear captain's armband as Norway open World Cup 2026 campaign against Iraq

Erling Haaland will lead Norway as captain when they face Iraq in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage opener on Tuesday, with the Manchester City striker set to wear the captain’s armband for his country’s first World Cup appearance in decades.

The armband is the “distinct addition” to Haaland’s shirt referenced ahead of the match, distinguishing the prolific forward from the rest of the Norway squad as he takes on the leadership role at the tournament.

Norway’s presence at a World Cup is itself a significant moment. The nation last appeared at the tournament in 1998, making this a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage — one that coincides with Haaland entering what many consider the peak years of his career.

Haaland has been one of the most dominant forwards in world football since joining Manchester City, and his performances for club and country have made him the focal point of Norway’s attacking ambitions. The World Cup offers him the platform to translate his prolific club form onto the international stage for the first time at a major tournament.

Iraq, Norway’s first opponents, will present an early test of how the Scandinavian side have prepared for the competition. Norway’s ability to build play around Haaland while maintaining defensive solidity will be closely watched as the group stage unfolds.