Morning Sports Update
Norway will open its tournament against Iraq at Gillette Stadium on June 16.
Norwegian players celebrate after scoring against Sweden in a pre-World Cup friendly. Lise Åserud / NTB / AFP via Getty Images
June 5, 2026 | 10:54 AM
3 minutes to read
Norway’s World Cup: Not only is Norway’s men’s soccer team in its first World Cup since 1998, but the Scandinavian nation is returning to soccer’s biggest stage with legitimate expectations of a knockout stage run.
Featuring the likes of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard (along with a plethora of other talents), Norway is projected a dark horse contender. Per DraftKings, Norway is +3500 to win the whole thing (ninth lowest odds), while the U.S. is comparatively seen as much more of an outsider (+6000).
As part of their pre-tournament campaign, Norway released a promotional photo with the entire team dressed as Vikings.
“Norway is coming,” reads the caption.
For Bostonians, this is relevant considering that Norway opens its World Cup at “Boston Stadium” (Gillette Stadium) against Iraq on June 16 at 6 p.m.
And while Iraq might not seem much of a threat in terms of the nation’s FIFA ranking, World Cups are a stage made for dramatic upsets. Plus, Iraq managed a tie against vaunted Spain on Thursday — though results from pre-tournament friendlies should be interpreted lightly — via a fantastic goal.
That aside, Norway will be heavy favorites against Iraq. The early result will be critical ahead of what are expected to be tougher tests against Senegal (June 22) and a second Foxborough game that will be the most anticipated group stage matchup at Gillette Stadium: Norway vs. France on June 26 at 3 p.m.
Trivia: Norway’s men’s team has never made it past the Round of 16 at a World Cup. However, its women’s team has won the competition before, doing so in 1995. After defeating the defending champion United States in the semifinals, what nation did they beat in the final?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: They are the only nation other than the U.S. to win the women’s edition of the World Cup multiple times.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to the Orioles 8-2 on Thursday. Boston begins a three-game series against the Yankees in New York tonight at 7:05 p.m.
Elsewhere, Game 2 of the NBA Finals gets underway in San Antonio tonight at 8:30 p.m. as the Spurs look to even the series against the Knicks (New York leads 1-0).
More from Boston.com:
Hurricanes take Game 2: Carolina evened the Stanley Cup Final with an overtime win on Thursday, tying the series at one game apiece.
Somehow real: The Worcester Red Sox held a “Purr at the Park” event on Thursday, producing incredible scenes.
how dare you honestly, your cat deserved this pic.twitter.com/BPxdLxi7F1
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) June 5, 2026
On this day: In 1991, Michael Jordan pulled off a “spectacular move” in the Bulls’ 107-86 win over the Lakers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
#OTD: MJ switches hands mid-air in the @chicagobulls Game 2 victory over the Lakers in the 1991 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/K95tNfAc3R
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2017
Daily highlight: Brendan Fritch of the Kenosha Kingfish made an unbelievable catch in left field on Thursday.
Catch of the year nominee courtesy of @Brendan_Fritch 🤯🔥 #SCTop10 @SportsCenter @NWLbaseball pic.twitter.com/0PZxpPRkNN
— Kenosha Kingfish (@KenoshaKingfish) June 5, 2026
Trivia answer: Germany
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
