France vs Iraq live online: updates, score, goals and highlights | 2026 World Cup Group I

Weather clearing up in Philly?

The players are out on the pitch. The fans are in the stands here in Philly, and for now, the weather looks like it is holding up. 

Jam packed day 

What a day for soccer lovers it has been and will continue to be. We already saw Lionel Messi and Argentina take on Austria in Group J, and now Kylian Mbappe and this potent, star studded France side will look to put on a show here from Philly. Then, later today, Erling Haaland and Norway will take on Sadio Mane and Senegal. Hard to imagine a more action packed day full of world class players but that is the beauty of this tournament. All we have to do it sit back and enjoy it. 

Philadelphia Stadium 

We are here from the City of Brotherly Love and there has been plenty of World Cup love shown here from Philadelphia. The French contingent has traveled well in hopes of seeing their team make another run to the final. Philadelphia Stadium is home of the Philadelphia Eagles, and if you know anything about this city it's the love they have for their teams. Just how many Philly fans will be in the stadium today is unknown but with or without, there will be a festive atmosphere here from the stadium otherwise known as Lincoln Financial Field. 

Star watch: Iraq

It was a dream debut that turned into a nightmare for Iraq's Aymen Hussein. In his first World Cup game, he scored a goal that equalized an early goal from Erling Haaland, but later in the game he would get the final touch on an own goal that sealed the game for the Norwegians. The Al-Karma striker has 9 goals in 7 matches in the Iraqi league and will be looking to get a chance to add to his World Cup tally today against one of the favorites in the tournament. 

The gates to the stadium have been opened, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that this game kicks off on time and continues for an uninterrupted 90 minutes. 

Star watch: France 

Where do we start for the France star watch? From top to bottom, front to back this might be the most star studded side in the entire world. That doesn't always mean they are the best team in the world, but with Kylian Mbappe in front of breakout star of the season Michael Olise, and back to back Champions League winners Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele this is a team that has endless options in the attacking third. Dembele is the Ballon d’Or winner, and one of the favorites to win it again if France has a great campaign in this World Cup. You never know when or where it’s going to come from but when you place this France side it can come from so many angles and in so many ways. 

Iraq starting XI

Graham Arnold has his XI ready for this massive match up and he is going to be asking for a heroic effort and a little luck for this XI that is gearing up to face mighty France in the second round of the group stage. 

Group I standings 

This is one of the tougher groups in the tournament. Iraq knew they were going to have their work cut out for them in their second appearance in the World Cup. Senegal is the top ranked team out of Africa, meanwhile Norway is ranked much lower than Senegal but have a team led by two Premier League stars and a number of players playing in the top leagues around Europe. Norway and France took the early edge in the group with opening match wins and it's likely that they will be fighting for the top spot in the Group when they meet later this week. 

France's starting XI

Didier Deschamps has his starting XI ready for this match against Iraq. He has his four horsemen at the top of the attack with Dembele, Olise, Barcola and Mbappe up top. Iraq will have their work cut out keeping a clean sheet against this side. 

Last game: Iraq 

For the first time since 1986, Iraq played in a World Cup game. They played Norway to open up their second World Cup campaign in the country's history and they had to go up against Hurricane Haaland who scored a first half brace in his first World Cup match. The Norwegian opened up the scoring in the 29th minute. Iraq would equalize just 10 minutes later but Haaland secured his first half brace off of a deflection on a clearance from the Iraq keeper. Ostigard would add an insurance goal in the 76th minute and an own goal would seal the deal for Norway. 

Weather looming

We have a serious threat of some stormy weather in the area from Philly. Fans were told not to travel to the stadium who weren't already in the area. Still no word on weather kick off will be delayed to the France-Iraq match scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.

Last game: France 

The French side came out a little slow against Senegal in their World Cup opener. With so much ammunition up top, they looking a bit rigid in the first half, but they came out of the halftime break locked and loaded. It was Kylian Mbappe leading the way scoring the opener in the 66th minute off a wonderful assist from Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola came in as a sub in the 80th minute and put his name on the scoresheet two minutes later. Ibrahim Mbaye got one back in stoppage time for Senegal but Mbappe close out the match with a stunner from long range in the sixth minute of stoppage time. 

We are live from Philly  

Hello everyone and welcome to the City of Brotherly Love where the finalists from the World Cup in Qatar have started their tournament off in brilliant fashion. Kylian Mbappe looked fantastic in France's first game against Senegal. Now they turn their attention to Iraq today, hoping to stay at the top of the Group I table before a massive match to end the group stages later this week. This is Iraq’s second time in the World Cup and they are still looking for their first World Cup win. Today they will have their work cut out for them against one of the top teams in the world. 

France vs Iraq  

It's one of the toughest groups of the 12 in this inaugural extended version of the World Cup, and today the second round of matches in Group I kicks off with France and Iraq from Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappe and company will look to continue their hot start to the World Cup today and AS English will be with you all afternoon providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of today’s Group I match up here from Philly.