Group I Matchday 2. France after their comfortable matchday 1 win over Senegal; Iraq after their narrow loss to Norway. The talent gap is enormous but Iraq are well-drilled under Australian coach Graham Arnold.
Why: France's squad has the highest market value at the tournament. Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Saliba, all Champions League class. Iraq are organised but cannot match this level of attacking quality. Bookmaker -2.5 at 1.85 implies 54% but reality closer to 65%.
Mbappe is 4 goals behind Klose's all-time WC record of 16. He scored once on matchday 1 vs Senegal. Iraq's deep block creates space in the channels which is exactly where Mbappe operates best. Anytime price 1.45.
Bayesh averages a yellow every 3-4 matches at Persepolis. Against France's pace through Mbappe-Dembele-Olise transitions, the tactical foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.40.
The match is at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. Soccer capacity 67,594.
Lincoln Financial hosts six matches at the 2026 World Cup.
France have won the World Cup twice (1998, 2018) and reached the final in 2006 and 2022.
Didier Deschamps has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last.
Something cool: France beat Senegal 2-1 on matchday 1 with Mbappe and Dembele goals. They lead Group I and the Iraq match should consolidate top spot.
Iraq's only previous World Cup was 1986, where they lost all three group games.
Graham Arnold, the Australian coach, took over in 2024.
Something cool: Iraq lost matchday 1 to Norway 1-2 in a respectable performance. Aymen Hussein scored for Iraq, their first World Cup goal in 40 years.
Mbappe captain since March 2023.
Plays for Real Madrid since summer 2024. 38 goals across La Liga and CL in 25-26.
Captaining at his third World Cup, chasing Klose's 16-goal all-time WC record.
Hassan has been Iraq captain since 2022 and first-choice goalkeeper since 2018.
Most-capped active Iraqi player with 100+ caps.
Captaining at his first World Cup.
France beat Senegal 2-1 on matchday 1 (Mbappe, Dembele).
Iraq lost matchday 1 to Norway 1-2 (Hussein goal).
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun | France vs Senegal | East Rutherford | Preview → |
| 16 Jun | Iraq vs Norway | Foxborough | Preview → |
| 22 Jun | France vs Iraq | Philadelphia | This page |
| 22 Jun | Norway vs Senegal | East Rutherford | Preview → |
| 26 Jun | Norway vs France | Foxborough | Preview → |
| 26 Jun | Senegal vs Iraq | Toronto | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group I overview →
Deschamps's France 4-3-3 with Tchouameni deep, Camavinga and Olise providing creation, Dembele-Mbappe-Barcola in attack.
Arnold's Iraq 4-4-2 deep block with Bayesh and Resan double pivot, Hussein and Ali up top.
France clinch top spot with the win. Iraq's realistic ceiling is the best-third path with a strong performance here.
Monday 22 June 2026 at 17:00 ET (23:00 CEST). Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Forward Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), captain since March 2023.
Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa), captain since 2022.
Yes, Aymen Hussein scored in matchday 1 vs Norway. Iraq's first World Cup goal since 1986 (Ahmed Radhi vs Belgium).
Enormous. France's squad has the highest market value at the tournament; Iraq's is among the lowest. -2.5 handicap is the obvious value bet.
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