France advance to World Cup Round of 32 after weather-disrupted victory over Iraq
Severe thunderstorms halt proceedings in Philadelphia, forcing relocation to Arlington for the decisive Group I clash.
France have mathematically secured their place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 3-0 victory over Iraq. The result, secured in Group I, marks the second win for Didier Deschamps’ side in the tournament and guarantees their progression to the knockout stage with one group match remaining.
The contest, initially scheduled for Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, was significantly disrupted by severe weather conditions. Thunderstorms and lightning caused a delay of two hours and 12 minutes, leading to the evacuation of spectators and a washed-out pitch. Play subsequently resumed in Arlington, where France maintained their composure to close out the fixture.
Kylian Mbappé was instrumental in the victory, scoring a brace to open the scoring and extend the lead. The French forward’s first goal came in the 14th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the box. He doubled his tally in the second half, capitalising on an error by Iraqi goalkeeper Basil, who gifted possession to Ousmane Dembélé. Dembélé then provided the assist for Mbappé to tap the ball into an open net.
Dembélé himself scored his first goal of the tournament in the 68th minute, wrapping up the scoring for France. The PSG forward’s contribution underscored the attacking depth available to Deschamps as the team navigated the logistical challenges of the relocated venue.
In the 91st minute, Marcus Thuram made his World Cup debut, substituting for Mbappé. The Inter Milan forward’s introduction marked a notable moment for the squad as they looked ahead to their final group stage encounter.
France will face Norway on 26 June to determine the top spot in Group I. The outcome of that match will be crucial for seeding purposes as the tournament moves into the knockout phase.
