France vs Iraq FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: A sign is shown advising fans to exit seating as a severe weather storm hits during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia. (AP Photo)Kylian Mbappe scored twice while Ousmane Dembele scored one to help France defeat Iraq at a FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage game which confirms France’s path to the Round of 32. It was a game whose second half has been delayed by over two hours due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia. According to an initial statement by FIFA, “A 30-minute break has been announced. FIFA will follow the safety protocols established by the local authorities, and the match will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.”
At half-time, France are leading 1-0, thanks to a goal from Mbappe. Mbappe, who scored a brace in France’s opening match against Senegal, was back on the scoresheet after smashing France’s opener in the 14th minute against Iraq at Philadelphia at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday night.
Mbappe is leading the French line after watching former PSG teammate Lionel Messi score his 17th and 18th goals at World Cups. Mbappe has currently scored 16 goals in 16 games.
Mbappe and France, who were in general kept quiet by the Senegalese in the first half, burst into life in the second, with the Real Madrid player slamming two goals in the 66th and 90th minute while Bradley Barcola added another in the 82md minute. Ibrahim Mbaye also relied with one for Senegal but the African team ultimately went down 3-1.
Iraq, meanwhile, are metaphorically coming out of the frying pan and into the fire with the Asian team facing France after a debilitating loss to Norway where they were thrashed 4-1. Erling Haaland had grabbed a brace while Leo Ostigard chipped in with one. The last goal was an own goal from Aymen Hussain to tie a neat bow on the misery basket. Hussain was also the one who had scored for Iraq in the match in the 39th minute.
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Mbappe scores two, Dembele adds one more as France defeat Iraq 3-0 to secure a spot in the Round of 32.
The game saw a 130-minute delay between the first half and the second half due to weather conditions in Philadelphia. But once the game restarted, Mbappe and Dembele were on the top of their powers, scoring one goal each.
So Mbappe is not going past Messi tonight in the all-time World Cup scorers list. Mbappe's final touch is an attempt on goal where he floors the accelerator and speeds past two Iraqi defenders. You can see them just giving up on chasing him. But after Mbappe has done all the hard work, and finds himself in a good position on the left of the goal with just the keeper to beat, he smashes his shot wide and high of the goal.
That's his last chance in the game as he's subbed off!
Mbappe has now scored 12 goals in the last 12 games for France.
Multiple times after that third goal from Dembele, Mbappe finds himself in a great position to complete his hat-trick. Once, he runs into the final defender inside the box and demands a penalty, but that looked too soft to be given. Then, the ball falls into his path and he shoots while under pressure from a defender. But he miscues it and the ball goes wide the of the right-side post.
Still 3-0 for France.
What a goal! Came out of nowhere. Michael Olise picked up the ball in the midfield, turned elegantly and ran towards the box before feeding Ousmane Dembele. Dembele takes one touch to bring the ball in control and then with his second touch, slaps the ball to the far post for France's third goal of the evening.
France 3-0 Iraq
France hit the crossbar! Barely five minutes after Mbappe doubles France's lead, Olise hits the bar! it was Mbappe who created that goal out of nothing by dodging through the defence and teeing up Olise. Olise chipped the ball it hits the bar.
After 59 minutes, France 2-0 Iraq
Oh dear! What a terrible mix-up at the back for Iraq. Zaid Tahseen overhit his pass to his keeper, who tried his best to get to the ball, but just couldn't. Dembele recovers the ball, and unselfishly passes to Mbappe, who pounces to score his second goal of the evening.
Mbappe now has 16 World Cup goals. Just two behind Messi's record of 18. This is also the sixth World Cup brace for Mbappe.
The players are out in the middle. The rain seems to have yielded. The Frenchmen are standing in a huddle while the Iraq players are scattered all over the pitch.
130 minutes after the stoppage, we will have the second half!
So the warmups are done, and weather permitting, we shall have the start of the second half between France and Iraq shortly.
So the French players are walking out for warmups again. Over an hour-long delay in Philly due to adverse weather conditions.
And the news from the Philadelphia Stadium is that the game will restart in 20 minutes. The visuals we are seeing on the screen shows players warming up while it's still pouring down heavily.
Here's an helpful explainer on why we are still waiting for the FIFA World Cup 2026 game between France and Iraq to begin.
Because USA's protocols for thunderstorms are based on the recommendations from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As per the rules in place, which FIFA cannot sidestep and start the game:
There must be no further lightning strikes detected within an eight-mile radius for a full 30 minutes before play is permitted to resume. If there is another strike, the clock resets to 30 minutes.
If storms occur within the radius less than 30 minutes before the game is due to begin, kick-off will also be delayed.
As we await any update from FIFA or the authorities in Philly, we turn to social media to get a feel of what's going down at the Philadelphia Stadium where the game between France and Iraq has been suspended for over an hour now due to weather conditions.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsMuita chuva e muito vento aqui no estádio da Philadelphia ⛈️💨 pic.twitter.com/R7AAJ2lCdd
— Viciado em Futebol (@viciadoemfutebl) June 22, 2026
Here's another clip from the Philadelphia Stadium
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVery gross conditions here at Philadelphia stadium. Still under a “Shelter in Place” 🇫🇷🇮🇶 https://t.co/VOfurxud42 pic.twitter.com/By3Jp0YIWV
— Jimmy King (@Jimmyking35) June 22, 2026
So now the half-time break has officially gone on longer than the first half. Strangely FIFA does not seem to be prepared for this, or else they would have stuck more ads on the TV for this weather delay.
Right now, we're in a hold position with no clue when the game will resume.
On their website, FIFA has the following statement about the delay in the France vs Iraq World Cup game:
Due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the FIFA World Cup match between France and Iraq has been suspended.
A 30-minute break has been announced. FIFA will follow the safety protocols established by the local authorities, and the match will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.
So the news from Philadelphia is that the second half will be delayed because of adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia. The stadium banners are asking fans to "exit the open seating area and seek shelter in the stadium as directed by the stadium staff."
Just the one goal in that first half at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday night. We have seen two goals from Messi on the night already, but daresay that Kylian Mbappe's strike for the French team's opener is the best goal of the night. A strike that was from outside the box and which flew past the keeper into the goal.
Hopefully more of that in the second half.
Mbappe runs into the Iraq box with the ball at his feet but just as looked like he was lining up a shot, Zidane Iqbal sticks a leg out and takes the ball away from Mbappe. What a tackle that was. Utterly crucial in keeping the scoreline 1-0.
We're approaching half-time in Philly as the rain is absolutely buffeting down the stadium.
So we have the first hydration break, and as soon as we come out of it, Iraq are forced into making a substitution.
ALI ALHAMADI comes off the bench to replace AYMEN HUSSEIN due to injury. Hussein had scored nine goals in qualifying for Iraq, so they will definitely miss him in the game where they are already trailing 0-1.
Kylian Mbappe, who else, scores to give France a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
A superlative strike from the France forward, after being fed the ball by Michael Olise at the edge of the Iraq box. Mbappe lets the ball fly from out t he box itself with his left foot. The ball curls past the outstretched arm of the keeper and flies into the goal!
France 1-0 Iraq
France barge into the Iraq box once again with Dembele and Mbappe play a delighfull one-two. Finally, after a shot, the ball flies high and a defender almost causes a mix-up after jumping in front of the keeper and messing it up. Finally the Iraqi side manage to clear the ball. But it does feel like a matter of time before France score.
France are now playing this game exclusively around the Iraq box. First Olise has a shot at goal that's blocked by a defender, then the ball ricochets to Mbappe, whose shot is wayward.
After 8 minutes, France 0-0 Iraq
An early yellow card in this game as Mbappe goes on a streaking run in the middle of the pitch and Amir Allamari leaves a foot out to trip him. Been just six minutes, and Iraq's players are already collecting cards.
One minute in and France have already broken into the Iraq box. The cross comes from the left flank, diagonally across the face of the goal. Mbappe cannot get his foot at the end of the ball, but he's close.
A positive start from France.
Here we go! Kickoff is here! The players are taking their spots on the pitch with a heavy cover of cloud over the stadium.
Iraq XI: Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Bayesh, Al Ammari, Zaid Ismael, Iqbal; Hussein, Qasem.
Just like France coach, his Iraq counterpart Graham Arnold has made three changes. Ahmed Basil starts in goal ahead of Jalal Hassan, Zidane Iqbal replaces Ali Jasim and Ahmed Qasem gets the nod ahead of Ali Al Hamadi to partner captain Aymen Hussein up front.
France XI is out: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne ; Kone, Rabiot ; Dembele, Olise, Barcola, Mbappe.
Three changes by France coach:
Lucas Digne comes in for Theo Hernandez, Manu Kone replaces Aurelien Tchouameni and Desire Doue makes way for Bradley Barcola.
Kylian Mbappé passed Pelé on the World Cup goal-scoring list and inched closer to setting the overall goal record for the tournament. And, Mbappé also set France’s national team goal-scoring record.
All that in just his first World Cup game of this tournament.
Stopping the 2022 Golden Boot trophy winner seems almost impossible.
Dark clouds hang over the FIFA World Cup game between France and Iraq in Philadelphia.
"Due to inclement weather in the region, gates opening will be delayed," a statement by the Lincoln Financial Field, the name of the ground the match is taking place, said on X.
"If you are not in the area, please do not travel to Philadelphia Stadium at this time.
"A new gates opening time will be communicated once the weather has passed. If you are near Philadelphia Stadium, please take shelter."
There was a heavy rain shower in the area four hours before kick-off.
Kylian Mbappe wasn't having the greatest of games against Senegal in France's opening match of the World Cup. They looked so dire that flashes of that 2002 upset kept crossing the minds of the fans. But in the second half, something switched as Mbappe's muscle memory kicked in as he smashed a brace and helped France win 3-1. (READ MORE)
June 12: Mexico 2-0 South Africa
June 12: South Korea 2-1 Czechia
June 13: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 13: USA 4-1 Paraguay
June 14: Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
June 14: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
June 14: Haiti 0-1 Scotland
June 14: Australia 2-0 Turkey
June 14: Germany 7-1 Curacao
June 15: Netherlands 2-2 Japan
June 15: Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador
June 15: Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
June 15: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
June 16: Belgium 1-1 Egypt
June 16: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
June 16: Iran 2-2 New Zealand
June 17: France 3-1 Senegal
June 17: Iraq 1-4 Norway
June 17: Argentina 3-0 Algeria
June 17: Austria 3-1 Jordan
June 17: Portugal 1-1 Congo
June 18: England 4-2 Croatia
June 18: Ghana 1-0 Panama
June 18: Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
June 18: Czechia 1-1 South Africa
June 19: Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 19: Canada 6-0 Qatar
June 19: Mexico 1-0 South Korea
June 20: USA 2-0 Australia
June 20: Scotland 0-1 Morocco
June 20: Brazil 3-0 Haiti
June 20: Turkey 0-1 Paraguay
June 20: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
June 21: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
June 21: Ecuador 0-0 Curacao
June 21: Tunisia 0-4 Japan
June 21: Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
June 22: Belgium 0-0 Iran
June 22: Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde
June 22: New Zealand 1-3 Egypt
June 22: Argentina 3-0 Austria
June 17: France 3-1 Senegal
June 17: Iraq 1-4 Norway
June 23: France vs Iraq
June 23: Norway vs Senegal
June 27: Norway vs France
June 27: Senegal vs Iraq
Ahead of the match, there's a bit of concerning news which might not sit well with anyone. According to the weather forecast, severe thunderstorms are expected in the Philadelphia region on Monday night, the venue where France will take on Iraq so there might be some disruptions. In that case, the match might take longer than 90 minutes to complete with FIFA regulations stating that the play must be halted and suspended if lightning is detected within 8 miles of the stadium. In that situation, spectators are taken to a shelter. There will be a wait of 30 mins to see if weather improves but if lightning strikes even in the 29th minute of the aforementioned 30, the clock is reset again and 30 more minutes are added. Due to this, the match might stretch for even hours.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
This will be the first time in history where the two sides will face off. Who comes out on top in this historic occasion? We'll find out soon enough.
France: Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembele, Doue, Mbappe
Iraq: Hassan, Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski, Al-Ammari, Iqbal, Bayesh, Ali Jasim, Hussein, Al-Hamadi
With Lionel Messi becoming FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goal-scorer after his strike vs Austria in the 38th minute, a certain Frenchman who goes by the name of Kylian Mbappe has a chance to go level or past the Argentine legend tonight only. Mbappe, who is on 14 goals, need 3 more to tie Messi at 17 while 4 goals will take him past the Argentinian. With a wounded Iraq in front of him, Mbappe might just break the record. Can he do it? We'll find out.
For just three seconds, Kylian Mbappe suspended his own memory of the game. Of his sufferings of the day, of his seeming detachment to the game, of the feeling of being a stranger trapped in his shirt. And then, the instincts kicked in. The muscle memory — honed to robotic precision — took over. When the superlative Michael Olise stitched a pass into his side, he swayed and opened his body, carving space for his right foot to come around the ball, and struck it diagonally into the nets, past the lunging Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. (READ MORE)
