France secured their place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia as Kylian Mbappé marked his 100th international appearance with a goal to win the man of the match trophy in a match interrupted by a 130-minute delay due to severe thunderstorms and lightning at half-time.France secured their place in the last 16 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Iraq in Group I, overcoming a lengthy suspension due to a storm that turned an otherwise routine evening into one of the most unusual games of the tournament so far.
France fans react after a weather delay 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 in 130 minutes of stoppage time before Ousmane Dembele added a third as Didier Deschamps’ side maintained their perfect start to the competition. The result moves France to six points from two games and guarantees qualification for the knockout stages, while Iraq remain bottom of the group and face a must-win final against Senegal to keep their hopes alive.The game will also be remembered as the first weather-related suspension of the 2026 World Cup after dangerous lightning over Philadelphia forced players, officials and fans to seek shelter during the extended half-time interval.
Mbappe strikes first as France take control
France arrived in Philadelphia knowing a win would secure their progress and they quickly established control against an Iraqi side who were content to defend deep and absorb pressure.The turnaround came in the 14th minute through a player who so often delivered on the biggest stages. Michael Olise collected the ball in the central attacking area before passing accurately to Mbappe on the left flank. The France captain sped towards goal, moved inside his defender and unleashed a powerful curl from around 20 yards that flew past Ahmed Basil and hit 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 continued another outstanding night for the 27-year-old, who was making his 100th appearance for France and had already entered the game with huge momentum following his brace against Senegal in the opening group game.France continued to dominate possession and territory for the rest of the first half. Iraq struggled to mount sustained attacks and failed to score as Deschamps’ side controlled the tempo with patient possession and quick ball circulation.
Storm stops the game for more than two hours
Just as the first half ended, the inclement weather that swept through Philadelphia dramatically changed the course of the evening.Heavy rain that had continued for most of the match intensified and lightning strikes near the stadium triggered FIFA’s severe weather protocols. Officials ordered both teams to leave the field, while fans were instructed to move to protected areas inside the stadium.
Fans react after the weather during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
According to tournament rules, play cannot resume until an extended period has passed without lightning being detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. Continued storm activity repeatedly resets the countdown clock, resulting in an incredible 130-minute delay.The second half eventually started at 20:00 local time, more than two hours after the players had originally left the pitch.
France continues where it left off
Any concern that the long break might disrupt France’s rhythm disappeared almost immediately upon resumption.Just nine minutes into the second half, Dembele surged forward and took advantage of the uncertainty within the Iraqi defense before delivering a low ball across the penalty area. Mbappe was the first to react, arriving through the middle and curling a finish into the bottom corner for his second goal 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 further enhanced an already historic opportunity for the France captain. His first goal in the first half took him to 15 World Cup goals, while the second moved him to 16 in his World Cup career.France’s third goal came in the 66th minute through Dembele, who capped an excellent individual performance with his first goal at a major international tournament. Once again Olise was involved, releasing the winger into space on the right. Dembele raced past two defenders with a sharp change of direction before finishing powerfully into the far bottom corner behind 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)
With 3-0, the competition is effectively settled.
France dominates the number and the group
The final tally reflected France’s control throughout the evening. Les Bleus finished with 56 percent of the possession, had 19 shots compared to Iraq’s four and limited Graham Arnold’s side to zero attempts on goal. France completed passes with an impressive 91 percent accuracy, while Iraq finished with an 86 percent pass rate despite spending long periods without the ball.France also won four corners to Iraq’s two and constantly forced the Lions of Mesopotamia into a reactive defensive shape.The win sends France top of Group I with six points from two games and confirms their place in the knockout rounds with one game remaining. Attention now turns to the highly anticipated meeting with Norway which is likely to determine who will finish top of the group.For Iraq, the challenge becomes significantly more difficult. With two defeats from two games, they remain bottom of the table and will need a win against Senegal in their final group game to retain any realistic hope of extending their World Cup journey.For France, meanwhile, qualification is assured, and another milestone went to Mbappe, whose 100th appearance for Les Bleus ended with two goals, three points and a place in the knockout stages.
