Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group I
Francevs
Iraq
Monday, June 22, 2026 · 5:00 p.m. ET · Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Philadelphia, PA
Watch: FOX · Telemundo
My pick: France win · locked 2026-06-21 10:00 UTCPrediction
France to win comfortably. Les Bleus opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal, Kylian Mbappé scoring twice, and face an Iraq side beaten 4-1 by Norway on their return to the World Cup after 40 years. Didier Deschamps may rotate given the gulf in quality, but France's depth — Dembélé, Olise, Doué and Mbappé — should overwhelm Graham Arnold's organised but outgunned team in Philadelphia. 3-0 France.
The case for France
82% to winFrance are among the favourites for the whole tournament and showed why against Senegal, Mbappé at his ruthless best. Even with Deschamps likely to rotate, the talent on every line — Maignan, Saliba, Tchouaméni, Dembélé — dwarfs Iraq's, and a win all but guarantees top spot in Group I. Expect France to control possession and pick their moments.
The case for Iraq
6% to winIraq are at their first World Cup since 1986 and have nothing to lose against the pre-tournament favourites. Graham Arnold's side will sit deep, stay compact and look to frustrate France while threatening on the counter through Aymen Hussein and Ali Al-Hamadi. A clean sheet for an hour and one moment of quality could give the Lions of Mesopotamia a famous platform.
Both cases written 2026-06-21, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 12% belongs to the draw.
France 4-2-3-14-4-2 IraqThe briefing
Storylines
- France, level with Norway atop Group I after a 3-1 win over Senegal, can secure qualification with a game to spare.
- Kylian Mbappé scored twice against Senegal and leads a France attack widely rated the deepest in the tournament.
- Iraq, at their first World Cup since 1986 under Graham Arnold, must respond after a 4-1 opening defeat to Norway.
- Played in the open air at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) on a warm, humid summer evening.
The coaches
Didier Deschamps France
World Cup winner as player and coach; in charge since 2012, he pairs a pragmatic structure with elite attacking talent.
Graham Arnold Iraq
The Australian, appointed in 2025, guided Iraq to their first World Cup since 1986 and sets up compact and counter-attacking.
Availability
| Squad | No fresh injury concerns; Mbappé fit after his brace v Senegal, with Digne, Koné and Barcola in contention if Deschamps rotates | ESPN / Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-21 |
| Squad | No major fresh injuries reported after the Norway defeat | ESPN preview · 2026-06-21 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FOX in English (free over the air, or stream on Fox One) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock). (FOX Sports / NBC News World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-21)
Weather: Open-air at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) for an early-evening kickoff — warm and humid Mid-Atlantic summer conditions, around 85°F. (NWS Philadelphia seasonal climatology (specific forecast not yet cleanly available), as of 2026-06-21)
Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada). (FIFA appointment via All Football / ESPN match listing, as of 2026-06-21)
Venue: Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Philadelphia, PA, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.