France, Kylian Mbappe ease past Iraq as weather delays World Cup match
Updated June 22, 2026, 9:24 p.m. ET
PHILADELPHIA — France opened its bid for a third World Cup title with a dominant second‑half surge against Senegal last week at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Six days later and down I-95, Kylian Mbappé and Les Bleus reinforced that statement, showing once again why they are legitimate championship contenders.
France took down Iraq 3-0 at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday, June 22 for its second win of Group I stage play.
Mbappé got the scoring going for Les Bleus in the 14th minute when he drilled a shot from outside the 18-yard box after he received the ball back from Michael Olise. It was just the second first-half goal at the World Cup scored by Mbappe, and the first since 2018.
Despite sitting through a two-hour plus weather delay between the end of the first half and the start of the second, Les Bleus’s offense didn’t lose a step in the closing half.
Mbappé scored the first of two second half goals in the 53rd minute following Ousmane Dembele picking up the loose ball in the box off the foot of Iraq goaltender Ahmed Basil, who was not expecting the pass off the goal kick from Zaid Tahseen.
Dembele would then get a goal of his own in the 66th minute off the inside of his right foot to push the lead to 3-0. Michael Olise picked up his third assist of the tournament on Dembele’s tally.
The win for France clinches Les Bleus a spot in the knockout round of the World Cup. It also mathematically eliminated Iraq from the tournament ahead of its Group I finale vs. Senegal with an 0-2 record.
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France maintaining control in final minutes
Most of its key starters have been subbed off but France is retaining control of its match with Iraq, which struggled to generate scoring opportunities. The comfortable 3-0 scoreline puts the French in position to win Group I with a defeat of Norway on Friday.
A near-miss for Iraq in the second half
Maybe the best chance of the match for Iraq came in the 76th minute with Ali Al-Hamadi stretching to try and get on the end of a cross. Al-Hamadi was able to make contact with ball and toed it just outside the right post as French keeper Mike Maignan stretched to make a save. It remains 3-0 in favor of France.
Ousmane Dembele scores to put France up 3-0
Ousmane Dembele is on the score sheet for the first time in this World Cup as he calmly finished from the right side of the box past Iraq keeper Ahmed Basil after a beautiful pass from Michael Olise with the outside of his left foot in the 66th minute. That’s the first career World Cup goal for Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, and third assist of the tournament for Olise.
Dembele and Olise were both subbed off after the goal in favor of Rayan Cherki and Desiree Doue.
Another Kylian Mbappe goal puts France up 2-0
A decent beginning to the second half for Iraq was wiped out by a poor restart from a goal kick. The restart played to the keeper goes loose in the box in no-man’s land. Ousmane Dembele picks up the loose ball in the box and plays across to Kylian Mbappe for the easy tap-in in the 54th minute to make the score 2-0. That’s the 16th career World Cup goal for Mbappe, who is now two behind Lionel Messi for the all-time lead.
Promising start to second half by Iraq
The first five minutes since play resumed saw Iraq had some decent spells of possession in the France half. Not much was created but it relieves the pressure that the French had put on most of the first half. The pitch is noticeably waterlogged with sprays of water coming up as players run or slide in certain areas.
France-Iraq has resumed play after weather suspension
It’s still raining at Lincoln Financial Field but the weather delay that caused more than a two-hour stop of the World Cup match between France and Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is finally over. Some work was needed on the pitch after some significant puddles developed during the continued precipitation. Fans who were sent to the concourse for much of the stoppage have returned to their seats.
France starts the second half with a 1-0 lead.
France, Iraq back on field after weather suspension lifted
It’s been almost two hours since the end of the first half when this World Cup match in Philadelphia was suspended. An announcement in the stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET declared the weather threat in the area over. That preceded the return of both teams to start warming up with rain still coming down at Lincoln Financial Field.
France-Iraq match suspended by weather
A severe storm that hit Philadelphia has caused the start of the second half to be delayed. A warning to shelter in place was given at the end of the first half, which immediately triggers a 30-minute stoppage of action. The first 15 minutes was part of the halftime. But the delay has continued for more than an hour and not resumed before the initial planned restart at 7 p.m. ET. Fans have been sent from the stands into the concourse as they await the restart with France leading 1-0.
France leads Iraq 1-0 at halftime
A promising start by the French with a Kylian Mbappe goal in the 14th minute has slowed with some difficulties penetrating the Iraq defense. Spaces have been hard to find and passes into the attacking zone have been dealt with well by Iraq defenders. Likely see some substitutions to maybe spice things up in the attack.
Adding some drama to the situation is a pouring rainstorm that started with about 10 minutes left in the half. That has also slowed down the speed of play but no threat of the game being stopped right now.
Rain has come pouring down during France-Iraq match
The expected late afternoon storm for Philadelphia has arrived, and fans are scurrying for the safety of the stands to stay dry. It was cloudy through the afternoon with the pending forecast of rain ominous. Play continues on the field. The showers are expected to persist through the rest of the match.
Iraq defense holding tight for now
France is struggling to find spaces in the low block employed by Iraq through the first 35 minutes. The ball is being forced wide and French crosses haven’t yet found their mark. On the downside for Iraq, it has yet to register a shot attempt and has just one corner. But if it can get to half unscathed then being down 1-0 wouldn’t be a terrible result.
Hydration break for France-Iraq match
It’s been all one-way traffic for the French against Iraq halfway through the first half. Kylian Mbappe has the game’s only score on the only shot on goal of the match. Iraq is managing just 33% possession. During the break, Iraq has made a substitution. Aymen Hussein has been withdrawn for Ali Al-Hamadi at the striker position.
Wave breaks out during France-Iraq game
The wave has carried over to France-Iraq as fans have broken out the in-stadium celebration in the lower bowl with France leading 1-0. About the most that Iraq fans have had to cheer about with France dominating possession.
Kylian Mbappe has France on the board first
A deadly left-footed shot from Kylian Mbappe into the far corner gives France the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. France held possession on the right side. Michael Olise passed back to Mbappe at the top of the box and he took his chance It’s the 15th World Cup goal for Mbappe and third of this tournament.
Iraq holding on early against France
France continues to control possession early in the first half. But the Iraq defense is doing a solid job of limited significant chances with some calm defending of crosses in the box. Iraq is unable to hold the ball and play out of the back, opting to try and play long to its forward line.
Kylian Mbappe draws first yellow card of match
The tactical shift that helped jump start the France attack against Senegal has continued in the early going. Michael Olise – normally a right winger – is occupying the middle of the field with Ousmane Dembele on the right.
Kylian Mbappe finds space in the midfield and gets taken down by Amir Al-Ammari for the first yellow card of the match in the sixth minute.
France with the first chance of the match
Manu Kone goes close with the first shot of the game in the second minute. Receiving a ball off an Iraq clearance. The left-footed strike went wide to the far post. A minute later, a Michael Olise through ball to Bradley Bracola was just deflected by an Iraq defender.
France-Iraq kick off in second match in Group I
We’re underway from Philadelphia with France starting play from the midfield. A full crowd here at Lincoln Financial Field erupts at the start. Iraq – who are dressed in white – will be looking to weather an expected early storm from France, donning their traditional blue uniforms.
Rain is forecast for later in the evening. It’s dry and cloudy now after a brief storm about three hours before kickoff.
France lineup changes but system stays same
France manager Didier Deschamps made three changes for his lineup – one each in defense, midfield and forward line. Lucas Digne replaces Theo Hernandez at left back. Manu Kone steps in at the center of the pitch for Aurelien Tchouameni. Bradley Barcola, who scored against Senegal, starts on the left wing in place of Paris Saint-Germain teammate Desiree Doue.
However, don’t expect much difference in how France plays. Kone and Adrien Rabiot will form a two-man partnership in the holding midfield giving freedom to the four forward players – Bracola, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. The attackers will have the freedom to interchange in the attack that should find joy against Iraq.
France lineup today
- Goalie: Mike Maignan
- Defenders: Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Kounde
- Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone, Ousmane Dembele
- Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise
Iraq lineup today
- Goalkeeper: Ahmed Basil
- Defenders: Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski
- Midfielders: Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari, Zidane Iqbal, Zaid Ismael
- Forwards: Ahmed Qasem, Aymen Hussein
France vs Iraq World Cup predictions
- Seth Vertelney: France 4-0 Iraq – Iraq can only hope France is complacent like it was against Senegal in the first half. But as we saw in the second half, this team has too much firepower to be denied.
- Jon Arnold: France 4-0 Iraq – Motivated to keep pouring it on for goal difference, France smashes an Iraq team that may have contended to go through in any other group.
- Jesse Yomtov: France 3 – 0 Iraq – Kylian Mbappe scores another goal or two as the French pick up another three points.
- Victoria Hernandez: France 5 – 0 Iraq – France is flying high right now and will show no mercy as it tries to lock its own place in the Round of 32.
Full rosters for 2026 World Cup teams
Where to watch France vs Iraq
The game is airing on Fox, but you can also watch on Fubo or the Fox One App . Spanish language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock .
What time does France vs Iraq start?
The matchup kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET.
France lineup being introduced
PHILADELPHIA — France’s starting lineup is currently being announced to the fans inside the stadium. Kylian Mbappé, to no surprise, received a rather loud reception from the Les Bleus fans in the stands.
Referee for France vs Iraq World Cup match
Drew Fischer will serve as the referee for Monday’s World Cup match between France and Iraq.
France vs Iraq weather updates, forecast
PHILADELPHIA — Mother Nature has arrived early, as it has begun to rain at Lincoln Financial Field.
There is currently a shelter in place for those who have already made their way into the stadium, as a severe thunderstorm is approaching. Click here for the latest weather updates and forecast for Monday’s France vs. Iraq game.
Group I standings
Here’s how the Group I standings look entering Monday’s set of games (goal differential in parentheses):
- Norway 1-0-0 (3) – 3 points
- France 1-0-0 (2) – 3 points
- Senegal 0-0-1 (-2) – 0 points
- Iraq 0-0-1 (-3) – 0 points
Iraq takes field, waves to fans
PHILADELPHIA — Iraq has walked onto the pitch after getting off the field, and they are welcomed with a nice reaction from the fans. Fans are waving the country flag while players are taking videos of the stadium on their phones.
Kylian Mbappé: Messi is the ‘clear’ best player at World Cup
PHILADELPHIA — Kylian Mbappé is one of the top players in the World Cup and the world, and might be the best for some.
Yet with all that and being just shy of owning the World Cup’s all-time scoring record himself, the Real Madrid star still deferred during a media availability on Sunday when asked about who the world’s best player is amongst the group of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Ronaldo, England’s Harry Kane and himself.
But what was his response? Messi.
“The best of the four players? Lionel Messi,” Mbappé said at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday during a media availability. “It’s clear. He’s the best in the world with Cristiano (Ronaldo), it’s clear. He’s shown during 15 years that he has an amazing quality. Me, I try to do what I can do, I show my quality on the biggest stage, helping my team to win another World Cup.”
France, Iraq fans battle each other on Rocky steps
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia offers no shortage of attractions, particularly in Old City, which is home to many of the nation’s most important historic sites. But for the World Cup crowds, the standout stop has been the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
France and Iraq’s trips to the saw their fan bases dueling each other out — in a friendly, patriotic manner, of course — on the steps.
How many World Cup goals does Mbappé have?
Mbappé is tied for the fourth most World Cup goals scored, with 14 goals. He entered this year’s World Cup with 12 goals, but added two goals in France’s opening win against Belgium to tie Gerd Muller for fourth all-time World Cup goals.
What is France’s World Cup record?
France enters Monday’s game vs. Iraq with a 39-14-20 record in 73 World Cup games. Les Bleus finished as the runners-up to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Below is how France has fared at recent World Cups:
- 2022: Runners-up
- 2018: Winners
- 2014: Quarterfinals
- 2010: Group Stage
- 2006: Runners-up
What is Iraq’s World Cup record?
Iraq is playing in its second-ever World Cup. Iraq is still in search of its first-ever World Cup win, as it is winless in its previous four World Cup matches played, including a 4-1 loss to Norway on June 16.
France FIFA ranking
France is No. 2 in the latest FIFA rankings.
Iraq FIFA ranking
Iraq is No. 61 in the latest FIFA rankings.
France vs Iraq odds
Full rosters for 2026 World Cup teams
Where is France vs Iraq game?
The Group I match is being held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
World Cup standings
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
