France overcame a two-hour storm delay to defeat Iraq 3-0 in their World Cup 2026 group stage match at Philadelphia Stadium. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, while Ousmane Dembélé netted his first goal at a major tournament, as the reigning champions proved too strong for a resilient Iraqi side.
Match Interrupted by Severe Thunderstorms
The match was suspended at half-time due to a series of severe thunderstorms that swept through the stadium. With the venue largely uncovered, spectators rushed to seek shelter as lightning and heavy rain made conditions unsafe. The delay lasted two hours and 11 minutes, during which coaching staff prepared for a potential restart by placing training cones on the waterlogged pitch.
Despite the interruption, the atmosphere remained festive, with Iraqi fans chanting in support of their team. The break also meant that the second half would proceed without a hydration break, a small consolation for the players.
Mbappé Opens the Scoring
France took the lead in the 20th minute after a period of sustained pressure. Michael Olise provided a simple pass to Mbappé, who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box. Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil got a fingertip to the ball but could not keep it out. The goal came after 10 minutes of relentless French attacks, with Iraq unable to move their defensive line beyond the six-yard box.
Iraq nearly equalized soon after the hydration break, with substitute Ali al-Hamadi heading wide from a Merchas Doski cross. Al-Hamadi had replaced injured captain Aymen Hussein.
Second Half Dominance
France doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half after a defensive error by Iraq. Zaid Tahseen overhit a goal-kick to his goalkeeper, and Basil's attempted clearance fell to Dembélé, who set up Mbappé for a simple tap-in. That was Mbappé's fourth goal of the tournament, putting him one behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and two behind the Argentinian in the all-time World Cup scoring list.
France then played with greater freedom. Olise hit the crossbar with a delicate lob, and Dembélé forced a save from Basil with a low drive. In the 66th minute, Olise spun past two Iraqi defenders before slipping the ball to Dembélé, who scored with a first-time shot across goal.
Deschamps Rotates Squad
France coach Didier Deschamps made three changes to keep his side fresh and substituted Dembélé and Olise shortly after the third goal, replacing them with Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki. Mbappé remained on the pitch, continuing to press and even disrupting an Iraqi counterattack, much to the delight of French fans. He was substituted in added time to applause.
According to Deschamps, the rotation was crucial for preserving key players ahead of tougher matches. The win puts France in a strong position to advance from the group stage.
