Welcome to our live coverage of the World Cup 2026 group stage clash between France and Iraq. The reigning world champions, led by captain Kylian Mbappé, are heavy favourites at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kick-off is at 5pm ET / 10pm BST / 7am AEST.
All eyes are on Mbappé, who needs four more goals to equal Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup record of 18, set earlier today when Argentina beat Austria. The France star already boasts a staggering 14 goals from 15 World Cup appearances, the best goals-per-game ratio among players to score at multiple tournaments.
The build-up has been overshadowed slightly by 'Birthgate', after Belgium's Jérémy Doku briefly left the tournament for the birth of his child. French outlet L'Équipe apologised for a presenter's criticism of Doku's decision. The incident has no direct impact on France vs Iraq, but it adds to the tournament's narrative.
Quick Facts
Fixture: France vs Iraq (World Cup 2026 Group Stage)
Kick-off: 5pm ET (10pm BST, 7am AEST)
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
France captain: Kylian Mbappé (14 World Cup goals)
Iraq's World Cup appearances: 2nd (first in 1986)
How to Watch and Live Stream
Official broadcast and streaming information has not been fully confirmed for all territories. In the United States, World Cup rights are held by Fox Sports, with matches expected to air on Fox and the Fox Sports app. In the United Kingdom, the BBC and ITV share rights, but individual match assignments are often announced closer to kick-off. At the time of writing, specific channel details for this fixture have not been released. For the most up-to-date listings, consult our World Cup 2026 hub or check local listings.
Live Build-Up
Here's the early team news and pre-match thoughts:
- Mbappé the phenomenon – He has scored in 12 of his 15 World Cup matches, and another goal tonight would move him closer to history. Expect him to start alongside Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé in a formidable front three.
- Iraq's defensive resilience – The Lions of Mesopotamia secured 0-0 draws in two of their last three friendlies. They'll sit deep and try to frustrate Les Bleus.
- Midfield battle – Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga could offer a youthful shield, while Iraq will rely on their own defensive midfield line to break up play.
Key Takeaways
- Mbappé's moment – With Lionel Messi extending the record to 18, the French captain can respond on the same day and underline his own greatness.
- France's depth – Even with a rotated squad, Didier Deschamps has a wealth of talent at his disposal. The bench features the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram.
- Iraq's hope – A point would be a historic result for Iraq, who last took to the World Cup stage in 1986.
- Group D dynamics – A win for France would all but secure their passage to the knockout stage, while Iraq will aim to keep their campaign alive.
- Watch availability – Plan ahead: check our World Cup 2026 page for the latest broadcaster confirmations.
Stick with us for live updates, commentary, and post‑match analysis as the story unfolds in Texas.
