France - Iraq / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the France vs. Iraq match in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, which can also be watched live on JOJ play, kicks off at 11:00 PM.

Head coach Graham Arnold faces an exceptionally challenging tactical preparation. His Iraqi squad, reeling from a harsh 4-1 defeat to Norway, spearheaded by the unstoppable Erling Haaland, now confronts the threat of immediate elimination at the World Cup. If the Asian representative fails to perform in their upcoming, and historically first-ever, encounter against France at the Philadelphia stadium, an early exit will become a grim reality.

Furthermore, following captain Jalal Hassan's uncertain performance, Arnold is seriously considering a change in goal, with Ahmed Basil expected to get the nod. A unique anomaly for the Iraqi team remains striker Aymen Hussein, who in the opening round managed to beat both goalkeepers on the field – scoring into the correct net, but unfortunately, also into his own.

On the other side of the pitch, France is brimming with attacking confidence. Didier Deschamps' squad successfully navigated a tough opening challenge against Senegal (3-1), and a potential three points would secure their spot in the tournament's final thirty-two ahead of schedule. The French attacking prowess is currently commanding immense respect; the 'Rooster' nation has scored in fourteen consecutive matches, netting at least two goals in thirteen of them.

Amidst this dominance, Kylian Mbappé shines brightest. The brilliant forward etched his name into the national team's history books in the last match, surpassing the legendary Olivier Giroud to become France's all-time leading scorer.

However, the experienced coach Deschamps is well aware of his team's vulnerabilities. The French defense has failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive matches, a trend the coaching staff aims to rectify, partly through a slight rotation in the lineup. This could see the dynamic talent Bradley Barcola given a starting opportunity on the big stage.

While Iraq can occasionally trouble favorites with a resilient and deep defensive block, the vast difference in individual quality between the two squads is undeniable.