Kylian Mbappe is set to win his 100th cap for France as the forward and his side seek more World Cup success against Iraq.
Mbappe continued his remarkable record at the tournament with a double in France’s opening game against Senegal, and is relishing the chance to battle with Lionel Messi for the golden boot. The fortunes of the team will, though, be his primary focus as he prepares to bring up a century of international appearances at the age of 27 in a fixture that France will be expected to win well.
Iraq showed, however, a resilience against Norway to suggest they could pose problems. Though eventually well beaten 4-1, they fought back to level after Erling Haaland’s opener and manager Graham Arnold has promised that his team intend to take the game to the opposition again.
Follow all of the latest from the Group I clash with our live blog below:
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France vs Iraq LIVE
- France face Iraq in World Cup Group I | Live on BBC
- 1' CHANCE! Mbappe can't reach ball at back post for close-range finish
- Kylian Mbappe wins 100th cap as he chases more World Cup success
- Mbappe's double helped 2018 winners to opening victory against Senegal
- Iraq beaten 4-1 in opener by Norway but have promised attacking approach
- France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Barcola; Mbappe
- Iraq XI: Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Al Ammari, Ismaeel; Bayesh, Iqbal, Qasem; Hussein.
France 0-0 Iraq
22:09 , Alan Smith8’ - Now Mbappe gets on the end of a Digne cross but his effort is directed wide. Iraq’s fans behind the goal ramp up the noise.
France 0-0 Iraq
22:08 , Alan Smith6’ - Mbappe makes his first proper run forward, dribbling down the inside left. It’s dangerous for Iraq so Al Ammari decides to kick Mbappe, earning himself a yellow card. From the free kick there is some dragging in the box, with Upamecano going down. VAR checks but there is no penalty. And then France win a corner which is taken short before Iqbal nips the ball away from Dembele.
'Mbappe not too far away'
22:05 , Chris Wilson at the Philadelphia StadiumHere’s the latest from Chris Wilson, who’s in place at the Philadelphia Stadium...
Not too far away from a goal within the opening minute or so as Mbappe lunged at that ball in.
It looked like an early sign of things to come but Iraq have knocked it around well at times early on, though of course that France onslaught can arrive at any time.
France 0-0 Iraq
22:04 , Alan Smith3’ - A steady enough start. Kone, in for Tchouameni, fouls Doski and moments later pulls the shirt of Qasem but it goes unnoticed by the referee. Not the most confident of openings from the midfielder.
France 0-0 Iraq
22:01 , Alan Smith1’ - Iraq are underway, trying the increasingly familiar boot it into touch. Except it goes wrong and the ball heads out for a France goal-kick. Yet to see one of those moves bring success at the tournament.
Titanium - again
22:00 , Alan SmithAt which point did they decide to play Sia’s Titanium just before kick-off? It didn’t happen in the opening days of the tournament - at the Azteca on day one they played Lose Yourself! - but now seems to be a staple of every fixture. And that’s not a complaint.
France vs Iraq LIVE
21:54 , Chris Wilson
Almost time
21:52 , Alan SmithHere come the teams - making a now familiarly long, L-shaped walk from the tunnel near a corner flag to the centre circle.
France will be playing in blue, Iraq in white.
Iraq's long, long road
21:51 , Alan SmithNo nation at this tournament had to play so many games to qualify - Iraq had 21 matches, culminating in an intercontinental play-off win in Mexico.
No wonder they are determined to give it a go despite this fiendishly difficult group.
The controversial France midfielder enabling Kylian Mbappe to shine at World Cup
21:44 , Alan SmithIt has not always been easy for a neutral observer to get behind Adrien Rabiot, whose dependency on the pitch has been repeatedly concealed by a curious, maddening penchant for irritating coaches, clubs and team-mates as much as opponents.
Yet if France are to reach an unprecedented third straight final, and wrest back the trophy from Argentina’s grasp, Didier Deschamps needs his team’s maligned midfield mainstay to keep pursuing what seems a neverending path to proving critics wrong.
The controversial France midfielder enabling Mbappe to shine at World Cup
Big cheers for Mbappe & Dembele
21:38 , Chris Wilson at the Philadelphia StadiumThe latest from Chris Wilson, who’s in place at the Philadelphia Stadium...
The biggest cheers of the day so far are reserved for Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele as their names are read out as the stadium announcer relays the starting XIs.
There were plenty of France shirts dotted around the city earlier on, with plenty of citizens from other countries also wearing the famous blue. It seems like many are excited at the chance to see Mbappe and the current Ballon d’Or holder this evening.
Your move, Kylian
21:33 , Alan SmithHere is Jack Rathborn’s report from Lionel Messi’s latest bit of history today - meaning Mbappe needs to score four here to overtake him
The Texan sunlight beamed through the glass windows of the Dallas Stadium to bring a divine backdrop to Lionel Messi’s latest two-goal masterpiece.
A glorious 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record, became his latest act to bolster immortal status back home in Argentina and across the world.
After a first hat-trick on this stage to swat Algeria aside, a typically delightful finish with his left instep sent the world champions on their way to a 2-0 victory over the terrier-like Austria. And a second, his 18th in the tournament’s history, came through brute force in stoppage time to extend this relentless start from the world champions, who top Group J and have a place in the last 32 sewn up.
Lionel Messi’s historic World Cup moment sheds light on a vital quality
France vs Iraq LIVE
21:26 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are out warming up in Philadelphia, though Iraq’s warm-up is significantly more intense at the moment...
Officials' own history
21:20 , Alan SmithIt’s not quite Messi and Mbappe-level landmarks but, according to Fifa, for the first time ever, a men’s World Cup match will feature an all-Canadian officiating trio with referee Drew Fischer joined by assistants Micheal Barwegen and Lyes Arfa.
Storm fears allayed - for now
21:14 , Alan SmithThose early weather concerns have hopefully passed off and the fans are now filling their seats with kick-off abut 45 minutes away.
Efficiency - not the name of the game
21:03 , Alan SmithFor all of Messi and Mbappe’s brilliance, there have been a couple of more efficient performers so far...
Most clinical #FIFAWC2026 players as per fewest touches per goal 😎, >90 minutes (@impect_official)
— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) June 22, 2026
🥇 #ErlingHaaland 🇳🇴 & #BrianBrobbey 🇳🇱 8.5 ❗️#Senegal is warned 🚧 #NORSEN#Undav 🇩🇪 #Musa 🇭🇷 #Larin 🇨🇦 #Mbappe 🇫🇷 #Kane 🏴 #David 🇨🇦 #Ueda 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/q6IF2pQ037
Golden boot standings
21:00 , Alan SmithWorld Cup golden boot standings
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 5 goals
2. Deniz Undav (Germany), 3 goals (2 assists)
3. Jonathan David (Canada), 3 goals
= 4. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 2 goals (1 assist)
= 4. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), 2 goals (1 assist)
= 4. Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands), 2 goals (1 assist)
= 4. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), 2 goals (1 assist)
= 4. Maximiliano Araujo (Uruguay), 2 goals (1 assist)
= 4. Ayase Ueda (Japan), 2 goals (1 assist)
= 9. Harry Kane (England), 2 goals
= 9. Matheus Cunha (Brazil), 2 goals
= 9. Erling Haaland (Norway), 2 goals
= 9. Yasin Ayari (Sweden), 2 goals
= 9. Elijah Just (New Zealand), 2 goals
= 9. Kai Havertz (Germany), 2 goals
= 9. Kylian Mbappe (France), 2 goals
= 9. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), 2 goals
= 9. Cyle Larin (Canada), 2 goals
= 9. Ismael Saibari (Morocco), 2 goals
= 9. Folarin Balogun (USA), 2 goals
= 9. Brian Brobbey (Netherlands), 2 goals
Iraq team news confirmed
20:59 , Alan SmithIraq XI: Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Al Ammari, Ismaeel; Bayesh, Iqbal, Qasem; Hussein.
Subs: Talib, Hassan, Al Hamadi, Ali, Al Reeshawee, Amyn, Farij, Jasim, Putros, Saadoon, Sher, Sulaka, Yakob, Younis, Yousif.
France XI is near full strength
20:55 , Chris Wilson at the Philadelphia StadiumReaction to the France team news from Chris Wilson, who’s in place at the Philadelphia Stadium...
Didier Deschamps has clearly not decided to take it easy on Iraq this evening, with the France boss naming an almost full-strength side for tonight’s game.
The big news is that Kylian Mbappe will get his 100th international cap, and he’ll be supported by the likes of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Bayern star Michael Olise once again.
Bradley Barcola is rewarded for his goal against Senegal with a place in the starting line-up as Desire Doue drops out, while Theo Hernandez and Aurélien Tchouaméni are the only other changes – Manu Kone and Lucas Digne come in for that duo.
Line-ups
20:48 , Chris WilsonFrance XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Barcola; Mbappe
Subs: Risser, Samba, Gusto, Hernandez. Hernandez, Konate, Lacroix, Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Doue, Akliouche, Mateta, Thuram
Notre XI de départ pour défier l’Irak 🇫🇷🔥
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 22, 2026
Rendez-vous à 23h00 pour notre deuxième match de Coupe du Monde, en direct sur M6 et beIN SPORTS 1 ⚽️📺
🇫🇷🇮🇶 #FRAIRQ | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MnpzDevS8b
The old school trait turning Mbappe into Monsieur World Cup
20:36 , Richard JollyThere is something old-fashioned about a player defined by the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe can seem a face of sleek modernity, but perhaps he is a throwback footballer. The World Cup is his stage; perhaps no footballer for decades can say that to the same extent.
As Mbappe claimed France’s goalscoring record, and advanced past Pele and Just Fontaine’s totals in World Cups to draw level with Gerd Muller, Didier Deschamps talked of the global audience. Mbappe, he said, did not want to pass Olivier Giroud’s tally for Les Bleus in a friendly. He did it instead against Senegal in the World Cup, in the world’s most famous city. He can prosper when the eyes of the footballing planet are on one match, and one alone. And, in an ever more crowded fixture list, that is rarely the case. Mbappe started this tournament with a very different double of high class. “In this match with a global audience, he has a real aura,” noted Deschamps.
His aura, unlike his peers’, comes from such days. Some of the legends of earlier generations were defined more by World Cups. Santos and Napoli fans may disagree but Pele and Diego Maradona were. Paolo Rossi, Mario Kempes and Fontaine too. For audiences outside South America, Garrincha and Jairzinho were always going to be. For those outside England, Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst are.
The old school trait turning Kylian Mbappe into Monsieur World Cup
The controversial midfielder enabling Mbappe to shine
20:27 , Alan SmithIt has not always been easy for a neutral observer to get behind Adrien Rabiot, whose dependency on the pitch has been repeatedly concealed by a curious, maddening penchant for irritating coaches, clubs and team-mates as much as opponents.
Yet if France are to reach an unprecedented third straight final, and wrest back the trophy from Argentina’s grasp, Didier Deschamps needs his team’s maligned midfield mainstay to keep pursuing what seems a neverending path to proving critics wrong.
The controversial France midfielder enabling Mbappe to shine at World Cup
Flying France
20:18 , Alan SmithA look at what France’s players got up to on their flight to Philadelphia for this match. Wonder what the combined screen time is for a player who wins the World Cup.
✈️ Travel from 𝑩𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 ➡️ 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒂 with Les Bleus 💙 pic.twitter.com/nAJ257MgJo
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) June 22, 2026
Tonight's referee ...
20:09 , Alan Smith... is Canada’s Drew Fischer, who is officiating at a first World Cup.
He has been to two Club World Cup’s previously.
Storm warning
20:07 , Alan SmithFans are not being left into the stadium yet owing to storms in the area.
But there is no indication yet around whether it may impact kick-off time.
Injury watch
20:00 , Flo CliffordWilliam Saliba said he was playing through “gritted teeth” after a long and gruelling season, but France should be able to call on the Arsenal star as well as Theo Hernandez, Malo Gusto and Dayot Upamecano, who have been wrapped in cotton wool to ensure they are fully fit.
Iraq’s Ali Jasim was withdrawn against Norway due to a knock but has shaken it off in training this week.
The weak link theory that will decide who wins the World Cup
19:50 , Alan SmithWhile Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and co draw inevitable focus, there is an argument that this tournament will be won by the 11th name on the teamsheet.
Every team has flaws, including France, but Richard Jolly assesses the least weakest link for all the top contenders.
The weak link theory that will decide who wins the World Cup
Mbappe eyes more milestones
19:41 , Alan SmithKylian Mbappé became France's all-time top scorer in their 3-1 win over Senegal (58 goals), overtaking Olivier Giroud (57).
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 22, 2026
He could add to that tonight against Iraq, and assuming he plays, Mbappé will also earn his 100th cap for Les Bleus. pic.twitter.com/XGBd6IsB0t
Ribs, rainstorms and Republicans: Two weeks inside America’s supersized World Cup
19:32 , Lawrence OstlereOn his travels around Los Angeles, Houston and Dallas, Lawrence Ostlere finds football fans, life-giving food and an odd marriage between the World Cup and the USA
Ribs, rainstorms and Republicans: Two weeks inside America’s supersized World Cup
Predicted teams
19:22 , Alan SmithFrance XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
Iraq XI: Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Bayesh, Al-Ammari, Iqbal, Ali Jasim; Hussein, Al-Hamadi
France vs Iraq LIVE: Welcome!
19:08 , Alex PattleKylian Mbappe is set to win his 100th cap for France as the forward and his side seek more World Cup success against Iraq.
Mbappe continued his remarkable record at the tournament with a double in France’s opening game against Senegal, and is relishing the chance to battle with Lionel Messi for the golden boot. The fortunes of the team will, though, be his primary focus as he prepares to bring up a century of international appearances at the age of 27 in a fixture that France will be expected to win well.
Iraq showed, however, a resilience against Norway to suggest they could pose problems. Though eventually well beaten 4-1, they fought back to level after Erling Haaland’s opener and manager Graham Arnold has promised that his team intend to take the game to the opposition again.
Follow all of the latest from the Group I clash with our live blog, right here.
