France secured their advancement to the last 32 of the World Cup 2026 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Iraq, thanks to a standout performance from Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice. The match, held in Philadelphia, was notably interrupted by a two-hour weather delay due to storms in the area.

Dominant Performance

Didier Deschamps' team entered the match knowing that a win would guarantee their qualification following their initial victory against Senegal. They executed their game plan effectively, overcoming both a resilient Iraqi side and challenging weather conditions to maintain their perfect start in the tournament. Mbappe was once again the star of the show, netting two goals that brought his total to four in the competition, solidifying his reputation as one of the most dangerous forwards in football.

Milestone for Dembele

In addition to Mbappe's heroics, Ousmane Dembele achieved a personal milestone by scoring his first goal in a major international tournament. This goal came during his 20th appearance across World Cups and European Championships, marking a significant moment in his career.

France's quality was apparent from the beginning, with their attacking movement consistently troubling the Iraqi defense. Mbappe opened the scoring with a powerful strike from 22 yards midway through the first half, setting the tone for the match. Despite the weather challenges, France demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure, ensuring their place in the knockout stage with a game to spare.