France Ease Past Iraq 3-0 Behind Mbappé Double and Dembélé Strike

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The France National Team cruised to a 3-0 victory over Iraq a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match on Monday afternoon.

The match kicked off at Lincoln Financial Field to a crowd of 68,000.

France starting lineup: 4-2-3-1 | Mike Maignan, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamencano, Lucas Digne, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé (C)

France substitutes: |Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki, Ibrahima Konaté, Theo Hernández, Lucas Hernández, Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Aurélien Tchouaméni, N’Golo Kante, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Magnes Akliouche, Marcus Thuram

Iraq starting lineup: 4-4-2 | Ahmed Basil, Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski, Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari, Zaid Ismael, Zidane Iqbal, Ahmed Qasem, Aymen Hussein

Iraq substitutes: | Fahad Talib, Rebin Sulaka, Manaf Younis, Youssef Amyn, Mohanad Ali, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ali Yousif, Ali Jassim, Ahmed Maknzi, Kevin Yakob, Aimar Sher, Marko Farji, Jalal Hassan, Mustafa Saadoon, Frans Putros

Officials: | Drew Fischer (Center Official), Michael Barwegen (AR1), Lyes Arfa (AR2), Sandro Schärer (4th official), & Joseph Dickerson (Video Assistant Referee).

The match kicked off with Iraq immediately launching the ball into France’s defensive third, looking to pin their opponents back and establish an early foothold in the match.

Less than a minute into the match, France had the first chance when Manu Koné unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the box that drifted just wide of the right post.

In the 6th minute, Iraq midfielder Amir Al-Ammari was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on Kylian Mbappé.

Kylian Mbappé had an effort in the eighth minute when his right-footed shot from the right side of the box went wide of the right post.

Entering the 14th minute, France took the lead.

Midfielder Michael Olise found forward Kylian Mbappé, who took one touch before curling a left-footed effort into the top-left corner to make it 1-0 to France.

In the 25th minute, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold made his first substitution of the match, replacing Aymen Hussein with Ali Al-Hamadi.

Ali Al-Hamadi had Iraq’s first chance of the match two minutes later when his left-footed effort from outside the box was blocked behind for a corner kick.

In the 39th minute, Kylian Mbappé attempted to catch Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil off his line with a long-distance strike, but his effort went over the bar.

After the initial 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime with France ahead 1-0

France began the second half on the front foot, immediately playing the ball into Iraq’s defensive third to pin their opponents back and assert control.

Bradley Barcola had the first opportunity of the second half when his header in the 53rd minute missed just to the left of the net.

Entering the 54th minute, France added to their lead.

Following a poor giveaway from a goal kick, Ousmane Dembélé intercepted the pass and squared it to Kylian Mbappé, who tapped into an empty net to make it 2-0.

France had three chances in the 59th minute as Michael Olise hit the post, Ousmane Dembélé’s effort was saved for a corner kick, and Adrien Rabiot’s header from the ensuing set piece missed just to the left of the net.

In the 60th minute, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold made two changes by replacing Zaid Ismael & Zaid Tahseen with Youssef Amyn & Rebin Sulaka.

Entering the 66th minute, France added to their lead.

Midfielder Michael Olise picked out Ousmane Dembélé’s run into the box, and the French forward took a touch to set himself before firing into the bottom corner to give France a 3-0 lead.

Following the goal, France head coach Didier Deschamps made his first two changes of the match by replacing Michael Olise & Ousmane Dembélé with Rayan Cherki & Désiré Doué.

In the 68th minute, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold made a substitution, replacing Ibrahim Bayesh with Marko Farji.

Iraq had two chances to score in the 75th minute as defender Rebin Sulaka’s effort sailed just over the bar and Ali Al-Hamadi’s shot missed just wide of the right post.

Kylian Mbappé had another chance in the 80th minute, but his right-footed effort missed just to the left of the net.

In the 83rd minute, France head coach Didier Deschamps made two more substitutions, replacing Bradley Barcola and Jules Koundé with Malo Gusto and Maghnes Akliouche.

Kylian Mbappé had a massive opportunity to complete his hat-trick in the 90th minute; however, his right-footed effort sailed over the bar.

Following the shot, France head coach Didier Deschamps made his final change of the match by replacing Kylian Mbappé with Marcus Thurman

After 90+3 minutes, the match concluded in a 3-0 victory for France.

The France National Team are on the road set to take on the Norway National Team in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match. The match will kick off in Foxborough, Massachusetts, at Gillette Stadium on Friday, June 26th at 3:00 p.m. EST.

The Iraq National Team are on the road set to take on the Senegal National Team in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match. The match will kick off in Toronto, Canada at BMO Field on Friday, June 26th at 3:00 p.m. EST.

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