France
World CupWhy this tip?
Iraq managed to find the net in their opener against a Norway side poor on the transition, but France’s defensive transition is quick and should prevent any Iraqi opportunities. We predict a dominant French victory with the game ending 4 – 0 in France’s favour.
Match Preview
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Matchday: Matchday 2
- Date: 22 June 2026
- Kick-off time: 17:00 (23:00 Local)
- Venue: Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field)
Match details
The Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), home to the Philadelphia Eagles, takes centre stage for Game 42 of Matchday 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring France and Iraq. The match is set to commence at 17:00 (GMT-5) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 23:00 (GMT+2) in South Africa. Kylian Mbappe, who is a frontrunner to claim the Golden Boot, started off his tournament superbly, scoring twice. For more information regarding our top picks for the Golden Boot race, check out our World Cup Top Goalscorer predictions.
Why this match matters
France and Iraq meet for the first time in their second fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams had contrasting openers, with France beating Senegal and Iraq losing to Norway. France will need a win to boost their chances of topping the group and securing one of the top-four World Cup knockout spots, while Iraq will need a win to stay in the tournament.
France vs Iraq head-to-head stats
Head-to-head record
This is the first time France and Iraq will meet in a senior men’s international match. Both sides are in contrasting form, and this encounter should be a spectacle for fans.
France’s recent form
France’s last five matches: WWLWW–
France are in great form heading to their second World Cup match, having won four and lost just once against teams such as:
- 16/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): France 3 – 1 Senegal
- 08/06/2026 (Friendly International): France 3 – 1 Northern Ireland
- 04/06/2026 (Friendly International): France 1 – 2 Côte d’Ivoire
- 29/03/2026 (Friendly International): Colombia 1 – 3 France
- 26/03/2026 (Friendly International): Brazil 1 – 2 France
France started their World Cup preparations in fantastic form, topping their World Cup Qualifier group. They have won all their matches since then, including wins against Brazil, Colombia, Northern Ireland and Senegal in their World Cup opener. However, they did lose to a strong Côte d’Ivoire team. France’s last five matches ended with both sides scoring and featured over 2.5 goals, with 12 goals scored and 6 conceded.
Iraq’s recent form
Iraq’s last five matches: WWDLL–
Iraq have a decent record heading into their second World Cup match, winning twice, drawing once, and losing twice, picking up the results against the following teams:
- 17/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Iraq 1 – 4 Norway
- 10/06/2026 (Friendly International): Iraq 0 – 2 Venezuela
- 04/06/2026 (Friendly International): Spain 1 – 1 Iraq
- 29/05/2026 (Friendly International): Iraq 1 – 0 Andorra
- 01/04/2026 (World Cup Qualifier): Iraq 2 – 1 Bolivia
Iraq were among the last teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having beaten Bolivia in the Intercontinental World Cup Qualifier. Since their qualification, they defeated Andorra and drew with Spain.
However, they have been in poor form leading up to the World Cup, losing to Venezuela and Norway in their opener. In their recent five matches, Iraq scored 5 goals while conceding 8. They only managed to keep a single clean sheet while finding the back of the net in four games.
Team news
France team news
Injuries:
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: France captain, Kylian Mbappé, will continue to be the focal point in the French attack due to his off the ball runs and clinical finishing. Michael Olise’s pace will be key to stretching the game and creating chances out wide. Aurélien Tchouaméni’s physicality will be used to stop the Iraqi counters, while the imposing presence of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano will thwart goals from the opposition.
Iraq team news
Injuries: Ali Jasim (Neck Injury)
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: Iraq’s focal point in attack is their talismanic striker, Aymen Hussein, whose physicality will be influential in getting them on the board. Ali Al-Hamadi’s pace will be pivotal in their quick counter-attacks and in exploiting spaces in the French defence. Amir Al-Ammari will be the main defensive block in midfield to stop the opposition attack. Merchas Doski will be pivotal in thwarting the French attacking right-sided overloads and overlapping runs.
Predicted lineups
France predicted XI
Didier Deschamps will not change a winning strategy and will feature Le Bleus in a highly disciplined, possession-oriented 4-2-3-1 formation. Their pace out wide will be pivotal in breaking Iraq’s low defensive block. A possible fluidity change may be implemented to break the opposition’s defensive compactness with runs behind by their striker. We predict the starting XI Le Bleus to feature:
Mike Maignan (G) – Jules Koundé – William Saliba – Dayot Upamecano – Théo Hernández – Aurélien Tchouaméni – Adrien Rabiot – Michael Olise – Ousmane Dembélé – Désiré Doué – Kylian Mbappé (C).
Iraq predicted XI
Iraq uses a low block that is designed to frustrate elite opponents while capitalising on quick, direct transitions. Graham Arnold sets up his team in a defensively solid 4-4-2 that shifts to a 4-1-4-1 off the ball, lining up with two highly disciplined banks of four to close down space at the back and stop opponents’ attacks. We predict the Lions of Mesopotamia to line up with the following players:
Jalal Hassan (G) – Hussein Ali – Zaid Tahseen – Rebin Sulaka – Merchas Doski – Ibrahim Bayesh – Amir Al-Ammari – Zidane Iqbal – Marko Farji – Ali Al-Hamadi – Aymen Hussein (C).
Best betting markets for France vs Iraq
Match winner
Prediction: France to WIN @ 1/10 (1.10) at Sportingbet.
Over/Under goals
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 41/100 (1.41) at BetXchange.
Both teams to score
Prediction: Both teams to score No @ 41/100 (1.41) at Pantherbet.
Anytime goalscorer
Prediction: Kylian Mbappé to score anytime @ 35/100 (1.35) at Betway.
The world may have stopped for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but there is still an action-packed calendar of sporting events. The KZN Champions season headliner is fast approaching, and you can get your Durban July predictions right here at Topbets by checking out our Horse Racing Tips page.
France vs Iraq prediction
Best bet
Prediction: France -2.5 @ 8/10 (1.80) at BetXchange.
Correct score prediction
Prediction: Match to end 4 – 0 to France @ 7/1 (8.00) at WSB.
Match analysis and verdict
France and Iraq will meet for the first time in their second group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Iraq will struggle to create many chances against a strong French side and will find defending difficult with France’s quick transitions and attacking fluidity.
Iraq managed to find the net in their opener against a Norway side poor on the transition, but France’s defensive transition is quick and should prevent any Iraqi opportunities. We predict a dominant French victory with the game ending 4 – 0 in France’s favour.
Writer/Betting Tipster
I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!
