Les Bleus enter this highly anticipated fixture on the back of a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal in their tournament opener. This positive result firmly reinforces that Didier Deschamps’ men have remained on a solid and dependable track since the very beginning of the competition.
Meanwhile, Iraq suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Norway in their opening match. This disappointing outcome leaves them in a highly stressful and high-pressure situation as they prepare to duel against one of the absolute strongest football teams on the planet.
On paper, France is heavily favored to claim all three points in this encounter. Their world-class individual quality and incredible squad depth stand out as massive deciding factors that give them a significant upper hand.
Kylian Mbappé remains the main center of attention after putting on a stellar, highly impressive performance in the opening match. The lethal Real Madrid striker continues to strongly cement his status as one of the most clinical and prolific forwards on the international stage.
On the flip side, Iraq demonstrated that they still possess decent competitive potential despite their heavy loss to Norway. They actually managed to temporarily level the scoreline through an equalizer from Aymen Hussein before eventually losing total control of the match rhythm.
Head coach Graham Arnold still evaluated his team’s performance quite positively for the opening 70 minutes of the game. However, costly individual errors ultimately proved to be the primary reason they conceded repeatedly during the closing stages.
Predicted Starting XI
France (4-3-3): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Mbappé (c), Barcola.
Head Coach: Didier Deschamps.
Iraq (4-4-2): J. Hassan; Sulaka, Doski, Younis, M. Younis; Bayesh, Al-Ammari, Iqbal, Amyn; Hussein (c), Al-Hamadi.
Head Coach: Graham Arnold.
Head-to-Head and Form
Last 5 Meetings:
This match will officially mark the first-ever meeting between France and Iraq at a competitive international level.
France’s Last 5 Matches:
| Date | Match | Result |
| June 17, 2026 | France vs. Senegal | 3–1 |
| June 9, 2026 | France vs. Northern Ireland | 3–1 |
| June 5, 2026 | France vs. Ivory Coast | 1–2 |
| March 30, 2026 | Colombia vs. France | 1–3 |
| March 27, 2026 | Brazil vs. France | 1–2 |
Iraq’s Last 5 Matches:
| Date | Match | Result |
| June 17, 2026 | Iraq vs. Norway | 1–4 |
| June 10, 2026 | Iraq vs. Venezuela | 0–2 |
| June 5, 2026 | Spain vs. Iraq | 1–1 |
| May 29, 2026 | Iraq vs. Andorra | 1–0 |
| April 1, 2026 | Iraq vs. Bolivia | 2–1 |
Match Score Prediction
Beyond the brilliance of Mbappé, France also enjoyed a vital offensive contribution from Bradley Barcola, who netted a stunning goal against Senegal. This excellent blend of youthful energy and seasoned, elite veterans makes the French attacking frontline look increasingly dynamic, unpredictable, and varied.
Nevertheless, there is a notable defensive concern that needs addressing, as France has failed to register a clean sheet in any of their last six international outings. Senegal’s consolation goal in the opening match serves as clear proof that Les Bleus’ backline can still be breached if caught off guard.
This upcoming duel will ultimately be heavily determined by how well Iraq’s defensive unit can contain the raw pace and elusive movement of MbappĂ©. If France can successfully maintain their trademark high attacking intensity right from the opening whistle, this match at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia has all the potential to turn into a stage of total dominance for Les Bleus.
- Predicted Final Score: France 3-0 Iraq
