France Shrugs Off Weather Chaos As Mbappe Downs Iraq
Argentina Vs Austria Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: France secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Iraq in a rain-hit Group I encounter. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a superb first-half strike to put Les Bleus in control before severe weather forced a lengthy 130-minute interruption. The 2022 runners-up resumed strongly after the delay and doubled their lead when Mbappe capitalized on a costly mistake from the Iraqi goalkeeper to net his second of the evening. Iraq struggled to break down France's disciplined defense and rarely threatened in attack. Ousmane Dembele added the finishing touch late in the game, sealing an emphatic win that maintained France's perfect record and confirmed its place in the knockout stages.
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) warms up ahead of the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq. AP/Petr David Josek
France's Jules Kounde (5) warms up for the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia AP
France players warm up for the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia AP
Players of Iraq enter to the pitch prior to the World Cup Group I soccer match AP/Matt Slocum
Supporters react ahead of the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia AP/Petr David Josek
France vs Iraq FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: FRA take on IRQ in Philadelphia. Derik Hamilton/AP
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match AP/Matt Slocum
Players enters to the pitch prior to the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia AP/Matt Slocum
France's Michael Olise (11) and Iraq's Merchas Doski (23) battle AP/Petr David Josek
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) reacts during the World Cup Group I soccer match AP/Derik Hamilton
Iraq's Ahmed Qasim (11) and France's Lucas Digne (3) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group I soccer match AP/Petr David Josek
France's N'Golo Kante, left, Jean-Philippe Mateta, center, and Warren Zaire-Emery leave the pitch at the end of the first time AP/Matt Slocum
Fans wave French flags during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia. AP/Derik Hamilton
Fans are warned to seek shelter from approaching thunder storm during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 AP/Derik Hamilton
Fans seek shelter during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, AP/Matt Rourke
Fans seek shelter during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, AP/Matt Rourke
A general view of the stadium during a storm delay in the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, AP/Matt Rourke
Heavy rain falls during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, AP/Derik Hamilton
A sign advising fans of a weather delay is displayed during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq AP/Matt Rourke
Vacant stand is seen during a storm during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia AP/Derik Hamilton
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) directs Ground staff where to squeegee water from the pitch following a weather delay in the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Players fo Iraq warm up after a weather delay during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
France's Kylian Mbappe, center, speaks with his teammates after a weather delay during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
rance's Ousmane Dembele (7) congratulates teammate Kylian Mbappe (10) after he scored their second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) runs with the ball during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 Petr David Josek
France's Ousmane Dembele (7) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
France's Ousmane Dembele (7) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe (10) and Jules Kounde (5) after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026 (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Published At:
Tags