France vs. Iraq, World Cup match result: Les Bleus win 3-0, Mbappé reaches 100th game, Dembele scores first World Cup goal

France’s Ousmane Dembele (7) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe (10) after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) France booked their place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia as Kylian Mbappé made his 100th international appearance with a brace and won the man of the match trophy in a match interrupted by a 130-minute weather delay due to heavy thunderstorms and lightning at half-time.France secured their place in the round of 32 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Iraq in Group I, overcoming a lingering thunderstorm to turn an otherwise routine evening into one of the tournament’s most unusual matches.

France fans react after a weather delay during the Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

At the Philadelphia Stadium, Kylian Mbappe scored either side of a 130-minute stoppage time due to weather before Ousmane Dembele added a third as Didier Deschamps’ side maintained their perfect start to the competition. The result takes France to six points from two games and guarantees qualification for the knockout stages, while Iraq remain bottom of the group and face a must-win final against Senegal to keep their hopes alive.The game will also be remembered as the first weather-related interruption of the 2026 World Cup after dangerous lightning over Philadelphia forced players, officials and supporters to seek cover during extra time.

Mbappe strikes first as France take control

France arrived in Philadelphia knowing victory would secure their promotion and quickly established control against the Iraqi side to defend deep and absorb pressure.Their breakthrough came in the 14th minute through a player who so often made his mark on the biggest stages. Michael Olise collected possession in the central attacking area before threading a pinpoint pass to Mbappe on the left wing. The France captain sped towards goal, moved inside his defender and unleashed a powerful curling effort from around 20 yards that flew past Ahmed Basil and onto the near post.

France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The goal continued another remarkable night for the 27-year-old, who was making his 100th cap for France and had already entered the match with huge momentum following his performance against Senegal in the group opener.France continued to dominate possession and territory for the rest of the first half. Iraq struggled to mount sustained attacks and failed to register a shot on target as Deschamps’ side controlled the tempo with patient possession and quick ball circulation.

Storm interrupts the match for over two hours

Just as the opening half ended, the severe weather that swept through Philadelphia dramatically changed the course of the evening.Heavy rain, which had persisted for most of the match, intensified and lightning near the stadium triggered FIFA’s severe weather protocols. Officials ordered both teams off the pitch while supporters were instructed to move to protected areas inside the venue.

Fans react after a weather delay during the Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

According to tournament rules, play cannot resume until lightning has been detected within eight miles of the stadium for an extended period of time. Continued storm activity repeatedly reset the countdown clock, resulting in a remarkable 130-minute delay.The second half finally started at 20:00 local time, more than two hours after the players had originally left the pitch.

France picks up where they left off

Any worries that the long stoppage might disrupt France’s rhythm disappeared almost immediately after the restart.Just nine minutes into the second half, Dembele drove forward and took advantage of uncertainty in the Iraqi defense before sending a low ball across six yards. Mbappe was first to react, arriving centrally to slot a finish into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night and France’s second of the night.

France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The strike further enhanced an already historic event for the French captain. His first half brought him 15 World Cup goals, while the second moved him to 16 for his World Cup career.France’s third goal came in the 66th minute through Dembele, who capped a superb individual display with his first goal at a major international tournament. Olise re-engaged, launching a wingman into the space on the right. Dembele swerved past two defenders before driving a powerful finish into the far bottom corner beyond Basile.

France’s Ousmane Dembele (7) congratulates teammate Kylian Mbappe (10) after scoring their second goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

At 3:0, the match was practically tied.

France dominates the numbers and the group

The final tally reflected France’s control throughout the evening. Les Bleus finished with 56% possession, had 19 shots compared to Iraq’s four and restricted Graham Arnold’s side to zero efforts on target. France completed passes with an impressive 91% accuracy, while Iraq finished with an 86% success rate despite spending long periods without the ball.France also won four corners to Iraq’s two and consistently forced the Lions of Mesopotamia into a reactive defensive shape.The win sends France top of Group I with six points from two games and confirms their place in the knockout rounds with one game remaining. Attention now turns to the highly-anticipated meeting with Norway, which is likely to determine who finishes first in the group.For Iraq, the challenge becomes significantly more difficult. With two defeats from two games, they remain bottom of the table and will need a win against Senegal in their final group game to retain any real hope of extending their World Cup journey.For France, meanwhile, qualification is assured and the next milestone belonged to Mbappe, whose 100th appearance for Les Bleus ended with two goals, three points and a place in the knockout stages.