Key takeaways
- France beat Iraq 3-0 on 22 June in Philadelphia to qualify for the round of 32.
- Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Ousmane Dembélé added the third.
- The match was the first of the 2026 World Cup suspended for weather, with a roughly two-hour lightning delay.
- Mbappé is now level with Erling Haaland on four goals, one behind leader Lionel Messi.
France are through. Les Bleus beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia on 22 June to reach the round of 32, but the result will be remembered as much for the storm as the scoreline — this was the first match of the 2026 World Cup suspended for weather, halted for roughly two hours by lightning before play resumed.
New to the tournament? Get up to speed with our World Cup 2026 betting guide and the outright winner odds explained.
A storm, then a statement
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring with a left-footed strike before the long delay, and France picked up where they left off once the players returned from cover. Mbappé added his second either side of the stoppage, and Ousmane Dembélé rounded off a 3-0 win. Iraq defended stubbornly at Lincoln Financial Field and had moments of resistance, but France’s quality told over the 90-plus minutes of actual football.
The win confirms France’s place in the knockout rounds and keeps Didier Deschamps’ side near the front of the contenders.
Two goals, one storm delay, and a place in the last 32 secured.
What it means for the outright market
France were always among the shortest names in the World Cup 2026 winner odds, and a comfortable qualification does nothing to weaken that case. Mbappé looks sharp, the squad has depth, and an early knockout spot means Deschamps can manage minutes — all positives for a deep run.
For tournament-long bets, remember that favourites rarely offer value once they start delivering. The price on France will already reflect this win, so weigh whether it still beats their true chance before backing in.
The Golden Boot angle
Mbappé’s brace moves him onto four goals, level with Erling Haaland and one behind leader Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. With France well placed to go deep, Mbappé has both the form and the fixtures to stay in contention.
A few markets worth weighing:
- Anytime scorer — Mbappé is in rhythm, but a two-goal night inflates his next price. Shop around.
- Top tournament scorer — France’s likely long run makes him a live Golden Boot contender, though Messi leads for now.
- Team total goals — France’s attack keeps the over tempting against weaker defences, yet short prices after a 3-0 rarely hold value.
Convert any price into an implied probability before betting — our football betting odds guide explains the maths.
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Bet it sensibly
A polished win can make a favourite look certain, and that is exactly when the market overprices them. Back the numbers that beat the true chance, not the highlight reel, and keep your stakes inside a set budget. If betting ever stops being fun, our responsible gambling resources are there to help. 18+.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in France vs Iraq?
France beat Iraq 3-0 on 22 June 2026 in a World Cup Group I match in Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Ousmane Dembélé added the third.
Why was France vs Iraq delayed?
Severe storms and lightning over the Philadelphia area forced officials to suspend the match, the first weather stoppage of the 2026 World Cup, for roughly two hours before play resumed.
