France secured their place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia, where Kylian Mbappé made his 100th international appearance with a brace and won the Superior Player of the Match trophy in a game that was interrupted by a 130-minute delay due to thunderstorms and lightning at halftime.France booked their place in the Round of 32 with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq in Group I, overcoming a lengthy rain suspension that turned an evening into one of the strangest games to date.
French fans react late in the season during the World Cup 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 season-defying 130th minute before Ousmane Dembele added a third as Didier Deschamps’ side continued their campaign. The result took France to six points from two games and confirmed their place in the knockout stages, while Iraq remain bottom of the group and need a win against Senegal in the final to keep their hopes alive.The match will also be remembered as the first weather-related suspension of the 2026 World Cup after a deadly lightning strike in Philadelphia forced players, officials and supporters to seek shelter at half-time.
Mbappe strikes first as France take control
France arrived in Philadelphia knowing that a victory would secure their advance and quickly established a command against what was on the Iraqi side to prevent the deepening and absorption.Their victory came in the 14th minute through a player who has often given the biggest share. Michael Olise took up space in the center of attack before crossing well to Mbappe on the left. The France captain raced towards goal, got inside the defenders and unleashed a curling effort from 20 yards that flew beyond Ahmed Basil and into 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 capped another incredible night for the 27-year-old, who has made 100 caps for France and had already come into the game after impressing with his performance against Senegal in the group’s opening game.France continued to dominate possession and territory for the rest of the first half. Iraq struggled to create attacks and failed to register a shot on target as Deschamps’ side were controlled by tempo due to patient possession and quick ball play.
Storm halts the game for more than two hours
By the time the opening half ended, the severe weather that had swept over Philadelphia had taken a turn for the worse in the evening.The heavy rain that continued for most of the match got worse and a lightning strike near the stadium made FIFA worse. Officials ordered both teams to leave the stadium while supporters were instructed to move to a safe area inside the stadium.
Fans react late in the season during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Under the rules of the tournament, play cannot resume until a period of time without lightning has been detected within eight miles of the field. The continuation of the storm reset the countdown clock over and over again, resulting in a delay of 130 minutes.The second half started at 8:00 pm local time, two hours after the players left the field.
France picks up where it left off
Any worries that a prolonged interruption would disrupt France’s national anthem disappeared as soon as he resumed.Just nine minutes into the second half, Dembele took the lead and drove uncertainly inside the Iraqi defense before delivering a low ball into the six-yard box. Mbappe made the first move, crossing the middle to get on the end of his second corner 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 has made the French captain a historic figure. His first-half opener took him to 15 World Cup goals, while the second took him to 16 for his World Cup career.France’s third goal came in the 66th minute through Dembele, who showed his personal best with his first goal at a major international tournament. Once again Olise was involved, unleashing a winner in the air on the right. Dembele went past two defenders with a dangerous switch before finishing powerfully into the bottom corner beyond Basil.
France’s Ousmane Dembele (7) congratulates teammate Kylian Mbappe (10) after scoring their second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
At 3-0, the match was effectively ended.
France dominates in numbers and group
The final score showed France’s dominance overnight. Les Bleus finished with 56 percent, registered 19 shots compared to four sides and limited Iraq’s Graham Arnold to zero goals. France finished with 91 percent accuracy while Iraq finished with 86 percent despite being without the ball for a long time.France also won the Iraqi corners four to two and constantly forced the Mesopotamian lions into a defensive position.The win sends France top of Group I with six points from two games and confirms their place in the final with one game to spare. Attention now turns to the much-anticipated meeting with Norway that could determine who will be number one in the group.For Iraq, the problem is even more serious. With two wins from two games, they remain relegated and will need a win against Senegal in their final group stage to remain hopeful of extending their World Cup campaign.For France, qualification was secured and another key night belonged to Mbappe, whose 100th appearance for Les Bleus ended with two goals, three points and a place in the final.
