TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The clash between France and Iraq will take place in the second Group I match of the 2026 World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The match, which is scheduled to kick off at 04:00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time).
France entered the tournament with confidence after securing a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening match, while Iraq suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Norway. The contrasting results make France the clear favorite heading into the encounter.
In the opening match, France captain Kylian Mbappe once again showcased his quality on the biggest stage. The 27-year-old forward scored twice in the victory over Senegal, helping him break several records in the national team’s history.
Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye also found the net for France. Mbappe’s brace made him France’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s record. He also moved past Just Fontaine as the French player with the most goals in World Cup finals history.
Mbappe’s form has become a major asset for Didier Deschamps’ side. A victory over Iraq would guarantee France a place in the knockout stage with one group match still remaining.
France currently sit second in Group I, behind Norway on goal difference after the Norwegians recorded a bigger win against Iraq. However, Les Bleus still have defensive concerns after conceding against Senegal, extending their run without a clean sheet to six consecutive matches.
Despite those concerns, France’s attacking strength remains their biggest weapon. They have scored in 14 consecutive matches and have netted more than one goal in 13 of those games.
Those statistics represent a major challenge for Iraq, who conceded four goals in their opening match against Norway. Graham Arnold’s side struggled to contain Norway’s attack, led by Erling Haaland.
Despite the defeat, Arnold said Iraq produced a competitive performance for most of the match. Iraq managed to equalize through Aymen Hussein before individual mistakes allowed Norway to regain control and extend their lead.
Iraq currently sit at the bottom of Group I but still have a chance of reaching the round of 32. However, a defeat against France, combined with a draw or victory for Norway against Senegal, would significantly reduce their chances of finishing in the top two. In that scenario, Iraq would have to rely on qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Arnold is expected to continue with a 4-4-2 formation, with Iraq likely to adopt a defensive approach before attempting to threaten France through counterattacks involving Aymen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi, and Zidane Iqbal.
History also does not favor Iraq. During their only previous World Cup appearance in 1986, they were eliminated after losing all three group-stage matches. Iraq have never collected a point in the World Cup finals.
Their recent form also remains a concern, with only one victory in their last six matches. Although they have scored in nine of their last 11 games across all competitions, that record is unlikely to unsettle France ahead of the first competitive meeting between the two teams.
Current Team Conditions
France are expected to have no major fitness concerns ahead of the match. According to Sportsmole, four defenders — William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, and Malo Gusto — have been monitored closely but remain available for selection.
However, Deschamps is expected to make several changes to manage player fitness. Theo Hernandez could be replaced by Lucas Digne at left-back.
Changes are also expected in midfield, with Manu Kone likely to replace Aurelien Tchouameni. Deschamps is expected to rotate his squad while maintaining France’s competitive level.
In attack, Bradley Barcola could earn a starting spot after his impressive performance against Senegal. The youngster scored in his World Cup debut, becoming the youngest French player to score in a World Cup debut since Thierry Henry. He is expected to replace Desire Doue on the left flank.
Meanwhile, Iraq received positive news regarding Ali Jasim’s condition. The 22-year-old winger, who was substituted against Norway due to a minor injury, has returned to full training.
Another key figure for Iraq is striker Aymen Hussein. The forward drew attention after being detained by US immigration officials for several hours before the tournament. Against Norway, Hussein had a dramatic performance, scoring Iraq’s equalizer before later scoring an own goal.
The incident made him the third player in World Cup history to score for both teams in the same match.
Predicted Lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Digne; Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola; Kylian Mbappe.
Iraq (4-4-2): Ahmed Basil; Frans Putros Ali, Rebin Sulaka Tahseen, Hussein Ali Hashem, Merchas Doski; Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari, Zidane Iqbal, Ali Jasim; Aymen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi.
Prediction
For France, the match provides an opportunity to secure an early place in the knockout stage. For Iraq, facing one of the world’s strongest teams is a major test as they attempt to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
With superior squad depth, attacking quality, and tournament experience, France are expected to claim victory and secure their place in the next round.
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