France vs Iraq – Prediction, Where to Watch, Kick-off Time and Lineups 22-06

• France seeks to build on their 3-1 win against Senegal, which places them in a strong group position. A victory here would likely secure their spot in the knockout stages.
• Iraq aims to recover from their 4-1 loss to Norway in their opening game. They face a difficult test against a tournament favourite.
• This World Cup 2026 group stage fixture marks the first competitive encounter between these two nations.

• This will be the first-ever meeting between France and Iraq.
• France enters the match in formidable form, having won 15 of their last 21 international fixtures.
• In contrast, Iraq has secured victory in 9 of their last 21 games, drawn 4, and lost on 8 occasions.
• The French attack was clinical in their opener, scoring three goals against Senegal.
• Iraq’s defence was breached four times in their first tournament match against Norway.
• France: Star forward Kylian Mbappé found the back of the net twice in the opening game.
• Iraq: Aymen Hussein scored his team’s only goal so far in the competition.

France began their World Cup 2026 campaign with a confident 3-1 victory over Senegal. This win extends their impressive run, as they have secured 15 victories in their last 21 fixtures. They are in a strong position to top their group.

Kylian Mbappé was decisive, scoring twice to ensure the win in the opening game. Crucially, the French squad has no reported injuries, meaning they can deploy their best team for this important clash against Iraq.

A second victory would put them on the brink of the knockout stages. Considering their current form and player quality, France are expected to dominate and pick up another three points.

Iraq, in their first World Cup in 40 years, started with a tough 4-1 defeat against Norway. This result highlights the significant step-up in quality they face, especially after an inconsistent run in pre-tournament friendly matches. They now confront an even greater challenge against tournament favourites France in a crucial game.

Striker Aymen Hussein scored with a powerful header against Norway. He was a key figure in their qualification campaign and remains their primary goal threat. His performance will be vital if Iraq are to trouble the French defence.

Iraq will have to face France without Meme and Yahya, which isn’t good news for them. However, their defensive solidity is a major concern after conceding four goals in their opening match. They must improve at the back to contain a world-class attack and keep their tournament hopes alive.

For those wondering where to watch France vs. Iraq, here is the broadcast information for the match:

• TV: BBC One (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)
• Streaming: BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR)

Heading into this pivotal World Cup 2026 clash, both teams will be finalising their strategies for the game. The expected France lineup suggests a clear intent to control the match from the start, while the probable Iraq lineup will be looking to find the right balance to counter their opponent’s strengths. Examining the starting XIs is crucial for understanding how this encounter might unfold and identifying the key areas where the match could be decided.

Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Kone, Rabiot, Barcola; Dembélé, Mbappé, Olise.

Manager: Didier Deschamps.

Hassan; Hashem, Ali, Doski, Zaid Tahseen; Jasim, Al-Ammari, Bayesh, Sher; Al-Hamadi, Hussein.

Manager: Graham Arnold.

Here are the match details:

• Match: France vs. Iraq
• Competition: World Cup 2026
• Date: 22/06/2026
• Kick-off: 10 PM (BST)
• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, United States
• Broadcast: BBC RED Button (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR), BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC One (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR)

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