France seeks victory over Iraq in World Cup 2026 Group I match

France entered its Group I fixture against Iraq on 23 June 2026 after a convincing 3‑1 win over Senegal. Coach Didier Deschamps emphasized the team's attacking depth, citing the form of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and other forwards. The side aims to secure three points and maintain momentum toward a knockout‑stage qualification.

Iraq, coached by Graham Arnold, arrived after a 1‑4 defeat to Norway, highlighting defensive frailties and limited success in recent matches. The Iraqi squad is expected to adopt a compact, defensive setup and look to exploit counter‑attacking opportunities, but analysts consider France the clear favorite given the disparity in quality and experience.

Key players for France include goalkeeper Alban Maignan and defenders such as Presnel Kimpembe and Raphaël Varane, while Iraq's lineup features Hassan Mahamed and forward Aymen Hussein. The match is being broadcast with multiple live streams available for fans.