FIFA World Cup

FRA France France - IRQ Iraq Iraq

France France

Iraq Iraq

O. Dembélé
66'
K. Mbappé
54'

K. Mbappé
14'

Philadelphia Stadium(68,324 Spectators)

Drew Thomas Fischer

Full-time: France 3-0 Iraq

Les Bleus cruise to a comfortable win following two second half goals. After a long delay, the second half of this fixture finally got underway and, after a positive start from Iraq, France soon took control. Mbappé netted his second goal after Iraq had gifted the ball to Dembélé from their own goal-kick, before Dembélé scored himself to make sure of the win.

End of second half

Full-time

90'

+ 1

Substitution

Marcus Thuram

Kylian Mbappé

90'

Hat-trick goes begging

Mbappé tries to power a finish into the near top corner of the net from the left-hand side of the box, but sees his finish go over the bar before being replaced.

89'

Misplaced

Cherki has both Doué and Mbappé racing away ahead of him on the counter, but only manages to find the feet of the Iraq 'keeper with his pass.

85'

Cruise control

It's all France as we head into the closing stages.

Passes

538

406

83'

Substitution

Malo Gusto

Jules Koundé

83'

Substitution

Maghnes Akliouche

Bradley Barcola

80'

Waved away

Mbappé is blocked inside the box and hits the deck, but his penalty claims are dismissed by the referee.

76'

Poked just wide!

Al-Hamadi stretches to get on the end of an in-swinging Farji cross, but his finish rolls narrowly wide of the far post.

70'

Overwhelmed

France have returned from the break in ruthless style, peppering the Iraq goal since the restart.

Goal attempts

12off target

4on target

2off target

0on target

69'

Substitution

Marko Farji

Ibrahim Bayesh

68'

Substitution

Aimar Sher

Amir Al-Ammari

68'

Substitution

Désiré Doué

Ousmane Dembélé

68'

Substitution

Rayan Cherki

Michael Olise

Dembélé gets the third!

Olise picks the ball up in a central area before sliding in Dembélé, who slams France's third home.

66'

Ousmane Dembélé

GOAL!

3:0

Assist:M. Olise

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

17 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.42 m

60'

Substitution

Youssef Amyn

Zaid Ismail

60'

Substitution

Rebin Gharreb

Zaid Tahseen

59'

Basil saves from Dembélé

He sweeps the ball toward the far side of goal from the right-hand side of the box, forcing Basil into a good save.

58'

Off the bar!

Mbappé feeds Olise inside the area, who lofts the ball first time over the 'keeper, but onto the crossbar rather than into the net.

Iraq gift France a second!

They give the ball away from a short goal-kick, with Dembélé pouncing on a loose ball inside their own box. He plays it back across goal for Mbappé, who slots home into an empty net.

54'

Kylian Mbappé

GOAL!

2:0

Assist:O. Dembélé

Goal probability

27 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

9.18 m

51'

Bright start

Iraq have started well, moving the ball forward quickly and putting France on the back foot.

46'

We're finally back!

The long awaited second half has begun.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 4

The players are back out!

After a long wait, the players are back out and warming up.

45'

+ 4

Wait goes on

While things are looking positive at the moment, it'll be seven minutes until the next announcement over the next steps in Philadelphia.

45'

+ 4

Restart on the horizon

After a long stoppage, the weather appears to have improved and it looks like the game will continue once the players have warmed up again.

Second half delayed

Due to extreme weather conditions, the restart has been pushed back.

Half-time: France 1-0 Iraq

France take a slender lead into the break courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Mbappé. France were otherwise dominant in the half, although Iraq were much improved after the hydration break and were playing with real confidence shortly before the half-time whistle.

Half-time

42'

Crucial tackle

Mbappé looks to have squeezed through the Iraq defence and is shaping to shoot, but Ali sticks out a leg to deny him at the vital moment.

40'

Close

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

The xG is closer than expected, with Iraq's influence on the half growing.

xGoals

0.32

0.27

Goals

Gaining confidence

Iraq have managed to stem the tide of France attacks and have looked better on the ball following the first break.

28'

Well worked

Al-Hamadi heads wide from Doski's cross after a neat passing sequence.

26'

Early change

Iraq are forced into an early switch with Hussein picking up an injury.

26'

Substitution

Ali Al-Hamadi

Aymen Hussein

23'

Hydration break

Iraq can catch their breath following a difficult first 23 minutes.

20'

Constant pressure

Iraq are struggling to get out of their half as France look to build on their lead.

France take an early lead!

Mbappé receives the ball on the right-hand edge of the box, opens his body and bends a shot into the far corner with his left foot to open the scoring.

14'

Kylian Mbappé

GOAL!

1:0

Assist:M. Olise

Goal probability

2 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

22.33 m

11'

Finding their range

It's been a lively start from France, who are yet to test Basil in goal.

Goal attempts

3off target

0on target

0off target

0on target

Building momentum

Mbappé volleys wide from the right side of the box as France turn up the heat.

Yellow card

Amir Al-Ammari

Settling in

Iraq have passed the ball well when given the chance and appear unfazed by the opponents in front of them.

Sight of goal

Koné volleys goalward from just outside the area, which Mbappé tries to poke on target with an outstretched leg but can't reach, and he has to watch the ball bounce well wide of goal.

The ball is rolling!

Iraq get tonight's game underway.

Kick-off!

Huge test ahead

Iraq face a tough task in stopping France's fearsome attack.

Out for the warm ups

The sides are out on the turf.

Starting line-up: France

France subs

Samba, Risser, Gusto, Konaté, L. Hernández, T. Hernandez, Lacroix, Tchouameni, Kanté, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Doué, Mateta

Starting line-up: Iraq

Iraq subs

Talib, Hassan, Sulaka, Younus, Maknazi, Saadoon, Putros, Amyin, Yakob, Sher, Al-Hamadi, Ali, Yousif, Jasim, Farji

What's at stake?

After defeating Senegal 3-1 in their opening Group I game, France can secure passage to the Round of 32 with victory in Philadelphia. Iraq, meanwhile, need to get at least a point against Les Bleus to avoid a group stage elimination.

0:47

Watch: 'Magnificent' Michael Olise

The Bayern Munich midfielder has already lit up the World Cup with a stunning assist for Mbappe - will he produce some more magic against Iraq?

The venue

France and Iraq face off at Philadelphia Stadium, which is one of 16 venues used for the 2026 World Cup. Opened in 2003 and home to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, the 69,000-capacity ground is hosting multiple matches during the tournament. This includes a Round of 16 tie that will take place on Saturday, July 4, exactly 250 years after the United States' Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.

Head-to-head record

The Group I clash marks a historic first meeting between the two nations. While France are appearing at a 17th World Cup and are among the tournament favourites, Iraq are playing in only their second finals after making their debut in 1986. The Group I clash marks a historic first meeting between the two nations.

Saliba: "Olise is world-class"

"Michael [Olise] is a star, he's a very, very good player. Of course, he still has a long way to go before he can be compared to [Michel] Platini or [Zinedine] Zidane. But in any case, it's a pleasure to have him in our team. Technically, he is world-class; he can shoot, he can dribble, he can pass. He always plays the right ball. He's not the sort of player who will try to dribble past everyone."

Last time out: Iraq

Iraq's 40-year wait for an appearance at the World Cup finals ended in defeat as they went down 4-1 to Erling Haaland's Norway in Boston.

Last time out: France

Michael Olise was named Man of the Match on his World Cup debut as France kicked off with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, in which Kylian Mbappé netted twice to become the country's all-time record goalscorer.

Welcome!

Follow all of the action as France take on Iraq in Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the game kicking off at 10pm CEST in Philadelphia.