Iraq vs France: 2026 World Cup Result, Score & Highlights

France beat Iraq 3-0 on 22 June 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, in the teams’ first World Cup meeting. Kylian Mbappé scored twice (14′, 54′) on his 100th cap and Ousmane Dembélé added a third (66′), as Les Bleus played through the tournament’s first rain delay, a stoppage of over two hours at half-time.

This guide recaps Iraq vs France: the full score and goalscorers, the rain-delay drama, highlights of the key moments, and what the result meant for Group I. Match facts are sourced from ESPN’s full match report. For more World Cup head-to-heads, read our Portugal vs Hungary H2H guide.

In this guide

1. Match summary: key facts
2. France: how they won it
3. Iraq: a harsh World Cup lesson
4. Group I: final standings
5. Key moments and highlights
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Match summary: key facts

France: how they won it

France entered as co-favorites with Spain, and Mbappé made the difference on a strange, soggy night.

• 1. Mbappé’s brace on his 100th cap, A left-footed strike from the edge of the box in the 14th minute, then a tap-in in the 54th after a poor Iraqi back-pass.
  His 16th World Cup goal tied Miroslav Klose for second all-time.
• 2. Dembélé sealed it, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who also assisted Mbappé’s second, scored the third in the 66th minute.
  France’s front line was simply too sharp for Iraq.
• 3. Survived the storm, Heavy rain and an incoming thunderstorm forced a delay of just over two hours at half-time, with grounds crews squeegeeing the swampy pitch.
  France stayed focused in the locker room and finished the job.
• 4. Topped the group in style, The win sealed France’s place in the Round of 32; they finished Group I with 9 points after beating Senegal 3-1 and Norway 4-1.
  A perfect group stage for Les Bleus.

Iraq: a harsh World Cup lesson

Iraq returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, and ran into one of the tournament’s strongest sides.

• 5. Second World Cup ever, Iraq’s only previous appearance was at Mexico 1986; 2026 ended a 40-year wait.
  They finished bottom of Group I with 0 points, 1 goal scored and 12 conceded.
• 6. New keeper, tough night, Ahmed Basil got his first start of the tournament in goal after captain Jalal Hassan had conceded four against Norway.
  Basil could do little about either Mbappé finish.
• 7. Lost their striker early, Aymen Hussein, who scored Iraq’s only goal of the tournament against Norway, went off injured in the 26th minute and was replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi.
  Iraq lost their main goal threat for the rest of the night.
• 8. Outclassed but not embarrassed, Coach Graham Arnold’s side held France to 1-0 until the weather break and kept battling after it.
  The scoreline reflected the gulf between a favorite and a debutant-era side.

Group I: final standings

• 9. France 3-1 Senegal (16 Jun), Mbappé scored twice and Bradley Barcola added a late third in New Jersey.
  The perfect tournament opener.
• 10. Norway 4-1 Iraq (16 Jun), Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway routed Iraq; Aymen Hussein got Iraq’s consolation and their only goal of the World Cup.
  Iraq’s high point of the tournament.
• 11. France 3-0 Iraq (22 Jun), The rain-delayed night in Philadelphia that sealed France’s knockout place.
  The subject of this recap.
• 12. France 4-1 Norway, Senegal 5-0 Iraq (26 Jun), France finished with a perfect nine points; Senegal’s five-goal rout sent them through as one of the best third-placed teams.
  Iraq’s campaign ended with a heavy defeat in Toronto.

Key moments and highlights

The moments that defined France 3-0 Iraq.

• 13. The opener (14′), Mbappé struck with his weaker left foot from the edge of the box, beating Ahmed Basil.
  A captain’s goal in his 100th international.
• 14. The storm break, With France 1-0 up, lightning forced players off and fans into the concourses for over two hours.
  The tournament’s first rain delay.
• 15. The gift (54′), Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen’s poor pass to the keeper was intercepted by Dembélé, who teed up Mbappé for the tap-in.
  A record-chasing goal made easy.
• 16. The sealer (66′), Dembélé added the third himself to complete a fine night in front of a sellout 68,234 crowd.
  Mbappé nearly had a hat-trick late on but missed a breakaway.

Quick memory trick: Mbappé’s night, twice over. Two goals, 100 caps, and 16 World Cup goals, France’s 3-0 win over Iraq was the night Mbappé joined Klose on the all-time list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Iraq vs France score at the 2026 World Cup?

France 3-0 Iraq, on 22 June 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Mbappé scored in the 14th and 54th minutes; Dembélé scored in the 66th.

Why was there a delay in the France vs Iraq match?

Heavy rain and an incoming thunderstorm at half-time forced the tournament’s first rain delay, lasting just over two hours while grounds crews cleared the pitch.

How many World Cup goals does Mbappé have?

Sixteen after the Iraq game, tied with Miroslav Klose for second all-time, behind Lionel Messi’s record of 18 set earlier the same day.

Did Iraq score any goals at the 2026 World Cup?

Yes, one. Aymen Hussein scored against Norway in the 4-1 opening defeat; Iraq finished with 1 goal and 12 conceded in three games.

Did Iraq get out of their group?

No. Iraq finished fourth in Group I with 0 points. France (9) and Norway (6) advanced automatically; Senegal (3) went through as a best third-placed team.

Was this the first meeting between Iraq and France?

It was their first World Cup meeting, and Iraq had only ever played at one previous World Cup (1986), so the sides had no tournament history.

Final thoughts

Iraq vs France was a night of records and rain: Mbappé’s brace on his 100th cap, a two-hour storm delay, and a ruthless French side marching through a perfect group stage. Iraq leave with harsh lessons but a historic return to the World Cup after 40 years. For more football reading, try our Portugal vs Hungary H2H, our two player games list, and our mobile games picks.