FrancevsIraq

This match is one of the 72 group-stage fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pitting two of the four teams in Group I against each other. Every group plays six matches over roughly two weeks, with the top two finishers in each of the 12 groups advancing directly to the Round of 32 — where the knockout bracket begins. The eight best third-placed teams across all groups also progress, so even a third-place finish can be enough to keep a campaign alive.

France enter the 2026 World Cup as one of the most talent-rich squads in the tournament, seeking to bounce back after their heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the 2022 final against Argentina. Iraq are a team whose footballing achievements are remarkable given the decades of conflict and instability the nation has endured.

France: France have won the World Cup twice, in 1998 as hosts and in 2018 in Russia. Iraq: Iraq have appeared at one World Cup, in 1986 in Mexico, where they were eliminated in the group stage after losses to Paraguay, Belgium, and a draw with Mexico.

The match is scheduled at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10:00 PM (18:00 ET).