France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia to secure a spot in the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mbappe scored twice, playing his 100th international game and winning the Man of the Match trophy. The game was delayed for 130 minutes due to severe thunderstorms and lightning at halftime.France advanced to the round of 32 with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq in Group One, overcoming a lengthy thunderstorm stoppage that turned a routine night into one of the most unusual matches of the World Cup so far.
French fans react to weather conditions during the World Cup Group One soccer match between France and Iraq on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Kylian Mbappe scored twice in 130 weather-interrupted minutes before Ousmane Dembélé added a third as Didier Deschamps’ side maintained their perfect start to the game at the Philadelphia Stadium. The result leaves France with six points from two games, ensuring qualification for the knockout stages, while Iraq remain bottom of the group and will face Senegal in the final to keep their hopes alive.The game will also be remembered as the first weather suspension of the 2026 World Cup after dangerous lightning over Philadelphia forced players, officials and supporters to seek shelter during the extended half-time break.
Mbappe scores first and France takes control
France arrived in Philadelphia knowing that victory would ensure their progress and they quickly took control of the Iraqi side and were content to defend in depth and absorb pressure.Their breakthrough came in the 14th minute through a player who often excels on the biggest stages. Michael Olise controlled the ball in the central attacking area and then passed a precise pass to Mbappe on the left wing. The France captain accelerated towards goal, cut inside the defender and fired a powerful curling shot past Ahmed Basil and into the near post from around 20 yards.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group One football match between France and Iraq on Monday, June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The goal marked another remarkable night for the 27-year-old. This is his 100th game for France and he already goes into the game with huge momentum after scoring twice in the opening group game against Senegal.France continued to dominate possession and territory throughout the remainder of the first half. Iraq struggled to establish a sustained attack but failed to hit the target as Deschamps’ side controlled the tempo through patient possession and quick passing.
Storm halted play for more than two hours
Just as the first half was ending, severe weather swept through Philadelphia and drastically changed the course of the night.Heavy rain, which lasted for much of the match, intensified, with lightning strikes near the stadium triggering FIFA’s severe weather protocols. Officials ordered both teams off the field and directed supporters into shelter areas within the venue.
Fans react to weather conditions during the World Cup Group One soccer match between France and Iraq on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
According to tournament regulations, play cannot resume unless lightning is not detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium for an extended period of time. Ongoing storm activity repeatedly resets the countdown, causing a 130-minute delay.The second half finally began at 8:00 pm local time, more than two hours after the players initially left the field.
France picks up where it left off
Any concerns that a lengthy interruption might disrupt France’s rhythm were dispelled almost immediately after play resumed.Just nine minutes into the second half, Dembélé moved forward, taking advantage of the uncertainty within the Iraqi defense to deliver a low ball just outside the six-yard box. Mbappe reacted first, firing the ball into the bottom corner from the center, his second goal of the night and France’s second goal of the night.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group One football match between France and Iraq on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The strike further enhanced an already historic moment for the France captain. His first-half opener took him to 15 World Cup goals, while his second took his World Cup career tally to 16.France’s third goal came in the 66th minute from Dembélé, who scored his first goal in a major international tournament with an outstanding individual performance. Olise is involved again, freeing the winger into space on the right. Dembele suddenly changed direction and beat two defenders before firing a powerful shot into the far bottom corner behind Basil.
France’s Ousmane Dembele (7) congratulates teammate Kylian Mbappe (10) who scored their second goal during the World Cup Group One football match between France and Iraq on Monday, June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
3-0, the game is officially over.
France dominate both numerically and in group
The final tally reflected France’s control throughout the evening. France finished the game with 56% possession and 19 shots on goal, while Iraq had just four and Graham Arnold’s side had zero shots on target. The French team’s passing success rate was as high as 91%, while the Iraqi team’s passing success rate was as high as 86% despite being without the ball for a long time.France also won four corner kicks for Iraq and won two corner kicks, constantly forcing the Mesopotamian Lions into a passive defensive state.The win took France to top the group with six points from two games and seal a knockout spot with one game remaining. Attention now turns to the much-anticipated clash with Norway, which is likely to decide who tops the group.For Iraq, the challenge becomes even more difficult. With two losses in two games, they remain bottom of the table and need to beat Senegal in their final group game to retain realistic hopes of extending their World Cup campaign.France, meanwhile, have already secured qualification, with Kylian Mbappe having another landmark night as he made his 100th appearance for France, scoring two goals and taking three points as they progressed to the knockout stages.
