France will look to keep their World Cup momentum going as they face Iraq today.
Les Bleus came into this tournament widely tipped as favourites and impressed in their first outing last week. After a stuttering first half, they produced a 3-1 victory over an impressive Senegal side, with Kylian Mbappe scoring either side of Bradley Barcola’s chip.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW FRANCE VS IRAQ LIVE!
One more win will be sufficient to see them definitely through to the knockout rounds, and they will be fully confident of making that prospect a reality facing Iraq.
The Lions of Mesopotamia were well off the pace as they shipped four to Norway last time out, but did well to get on the scoresheet through Aymen Hussein in the first half.
An error-strewn performance saw them left bottom of Group I come full-time, and things will not get any easier against Didier Deschamps’ France.
Date, kick-off time and venue
France vs Iraq is scheduled for a 10pm BST kick-off today on Monday, June 22, 2026.
The match will take place at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field).
Where to watch France vs Iraq for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 9.30pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with the BBC iPlayer and ITVX app.
France vs Iraq team news
France came through their group stage opener with no new injuries and Arsenal defender William Saliba completed the full 90 minutes despite coming into camp with a nagging back problem.
With a tricky match against Norway on the horizon, Deschamps may take this as an opportunity to rest some of his bigger-name players. Barcola could come into the starting XI, as could Rayan Cherki.
Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace is still waiting to make his World Cup debut, and may get an opportunity to do so here.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamenaco
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Marcus Thuram
Iraq had some concern around forward Ali Jasim after he fell awkwardly against Norway, but he has been cleared and seems fit to return against France.
Graham Arnold will have to name a full-strength side here if he is to have any hope of getting a result, though he may opt for a more defensive setup as he looks to limit France’s dazzling attack
Iraq squad
Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib, Jalal Hassan, Ahmed Basil
Defenders: Hussein Ali, Manaf Younis, Zaid Tahseen, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashem, Merchas Doski, Ahmed Yahya, Zaid Ismail, Frans Putros, Mustafa Saadoon
Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari, Kevin Yakob, Zidane Iqbal, Aimar Sher, Ibrahim Bayesh, Ahmed Qasim, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji
Forwards: Ali Jasim, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ali Yousef, Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali
France vs Iraq prediction
There is a good reason France were so widely considered favourites coming into this tournament. Their squad quality is second to none, and that showed plainly as they eased past Senegal last week.
Iraq, meanwhile, struggled to even keep pace with Norway, let alone beat them. This match will bring a certain step up in terms of quality, and they showed little last time out to suggest they will be able to cope with the onslaught.
We expect France to produce a decisive victory.
France to win, 5-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
This will be the first meeting between these two nations.
France vs Iraq match odds
Odds via betting sites (subject to change).
