France 3-0 Iraq: World Cup 2026 – as it happened

Mbappe’s second brace leads Les Bleus into the round of 32.

It was always going to be a tall order for Iraq, but they will be pleased the score was only 3-0.

We will catch you next time.

France’s victory earns them a place in the Round of 32 💪#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2026

We creep into the final matches of the second match day tomorrow, and we have some star attractions in store.

First, we have Portugal taking on Uzbekistan, with the live coverage kicking off at 14:00 GMT.

Following that, we have England vs Ghana, with the live page teeing off at 17:00 GMT, so make sure to tune in.

Boston bound 🔜 pic.twitter.com/jtDzyRcSeK

— England (@England) June 22, 2026

Ali Alkabasi was only 13 years old when he saw Iraq play in the World Cup; 40 years later, he was able to watch his team live at the stadium.

Despite the 3-0 loss, Alkabasi says he was grateful to see Iraq again in the tournament.

“The performance wasn’t too bad. The result was expected. France are on another level. At least the Iraqi players were not just playing long balls. They tried to build up an attack,” he told Al Jazeera.

Click here to read our full match report.

Marcus Pedersen has given Norway a 1-0 half-time lead in their Group I match.

If the Norwegians hold onto their advantage, then they, along with France, will be confirmed as the top two teams from the group.

The second half is just about to get under way.

The main story should be that France have secured qualification into the round of 32 with two wins on the trot.

However, a two-hour-and-15-minute delay will undoubtedly steal the headlines over the next little while.

Mbappe continues his remarkable scoring touch, moving up to second place among the tournament’s top scorers, with four goals in two matches.

Dembele added a third to put the match completely beyond Iraq’s grasp.

Full-time: France 3-0 Iraq 

𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐄𝐓 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 💙🔥

Direction les seizièmes de finale pour nos Bleus 🇫🇷✨
Deux matchs, deux victoires, et un billet pour la phase finale en poche !

🇫🇷3-0🇮🇶 #FRAIRQ | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/R28Zype7e4

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 23, 2026

After kicking off at just after 21:00 GMT, the match finally comes to a close at 00:48 GMT.

Full-time: France 3-0 Iraq 

He is applauded off the field after picking up his second consecutive brace of the tournament.

Meanwhile, we will have just two minutes of stoppage time.

90+1 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

He begins his run near the halfway line and turns on the jets to blow past two defenders.

With just the keeper to beat, he veers slightly to the left before attempting a strike into the top-left of goal.

But the resulting effort ends up well past the upright.

90 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

He attempts to whip a volley off a cross from the deep. It is executed beautifully, but right at Basil.

It did look offside, though. But interestingly, there was no flag up on the play.

88 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

With no cooling break, there shouldn’t be a significant amount of stoppage time ahead.

86 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

Barcola and Kounde come off, with Maghnes Akliouche and Malo Gusto coming on.

Looks like they are ready to batten down the hatches with those changes.

83 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

Mbappe plays it short to Cherki from the right side.

The ball finds Digne in the box, but his hopeful cross is headed away by the Iraqi defence.

France win back the ball, but it is all undone when an offside is called on Mbappe on the left side.

83 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

He tries to weasel himself in from the left side, but then runs into Sher.

The forward falls down, but the referee is not interested and waves on play.

Cherki then tries to find him with a chip from outside, but Mbappe rushes through the shot, sending it wide off the left upright.

80 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

After a nice spell of play from Iraq, the match has reverted to its usual form.

Iraq have moved into a low defensive block as a result.

79 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

Two back-to-back missed chances have woken up the Iraqi fans in Philadelphia.

Cheers and chants of “Iraq, Iraq” are roaring again behind Maignan’s goal.

Sulaka crosses from the left side into the box, with Alhammadi by the far post.

He times his slide well to try and poke the chance through the tight gap but doesn’t get it on target. He wasn’t helped by the tight marking on him.

76 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

It is sent in by Iqbal from the right side into the box.

The ball finds Sulaka on the left side, who attempts to side-foot it towards goal, but it is well over.

74 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

With the abundance of attacking riches available, Les Bleus would love to make it four for the night.

72 mins: France 3-0 Iraq 

Aimar Sher, Marko Farji and Rebin Sulaka come on for Ismael, Alammari and Bayesh.

France make two of their own, with Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki coming in for Olise and Dembele.

69 mins: France 3-0 Iraq