France vs Iraq – Prediction, where to watch, kick-off time and line-ups 22-06

France and Iraq meet in the second round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match takes place this Monday, 22 June, at 10 PM (BST) at the Lincoln Financial Field in the United States.

The two teams arrive on the back of contrasting opening results. France started their campaign with a 3-1 win against Senegal, whereas Iraq were beaten 4-1 by Norway. This France vs. Iraq prediction suggests a tough test for the underdogs as they seek their first points.

Keep reading to discover our betting tips and analysis for this exciting encounter.

France vs. Iraq - Head-to-head record

This World Cup group stage match represents a brand-new chapter in international football, as it is the first-ever official meeting between France and Iraq.

Consequently, there is no historical data to analyse for the France vs. Iraq fixture. Bettors cannot look back at past results to identify patterns, such as home advantage or a tendency for high-scoring games. The analysis must therefore focus entirely on the teams’ current form and their opening performances.

This inaugural match-up means neither side holds a psychological edge from previous battles. It is a true clash of different footballing cultures meeting for the first time on the world’s biggest stage. The outcome will set the precedent for all future encounters between them.

France - Off to a flying start

France kicked off their World Cup campaign with a convincing win against Senegal. In this section, we will take a closer look at their current form and recent results. We will also break down their tactical approach and the possible France vs. Iraq line-ups for this second group stage match.

Recent form

France began their World Cup 2026 campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory against Senegal in their opening group stage match. This result extends their formidable run of form, as the French side has now won 15 of their last 21 international fixtures. Currently, France sits in a strong position in Group I with three points from one game, aiming to continue this positive momentum.

Kylian Mbappé truly shone against Senegal, netting twice, including a superb long-range strike that saw him become France’s all-time leading goalscorer. Bradley Barcola also found the back of the net, showcasing the team’s diverse attacking prowess. Midfielders Olise and Rabiot each contributed an assist, underlining their creative influence.

Didier Deschamps benefits from a fully fit squad for this France vs. Iraq fixture, with no reported injuries. The potential problem, however, may be the questionable presence of Tchouameni.

But even without him, given their dominant opening display and high confidence, France approaches this match with considerable momentum and will present a formidable challenge.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for France

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

Manager: Didier Deschamps.

Iraq - Looking to bounce back

Now, let’s turn our attention to Iraq. We will examine their current form, recent results, and the key players to watch in this match.

Recent form

Iraq began their World Cup with a 4-1 defeat against Norway. Despite the heavy loss, they showed spirit, and Aymen Hussein made history by scoring the country’s second-ever goal at a World Cup finals. Unfortunately for the striker, he also put the ball into his own net later in the game.

The team’s recent form is a mixed bag, with nine wins and eight losses in their last 21 matches. Pre-tournament friendlies saw them lose to Venezuela and Andorra but also secure a commendable 1-1 draw with Spain. This demonstrates their potential to cause problems but also their inconsistency against different levels of opposition.

Iraq may have a problem, as both Yahya and Meme won’t play the upcoming match. Their defence, which conceded four goals against Norway, faces a massive test against a potent French forward line. The Iraqis will rely on the threat of Aymen Hussein to lead their attack and capitalise on any opportunities.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Iraq

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

Manager: Graham Arnold.

Team Performance and Key Player Stats

• France come into this match in formidable form, having won 15 of their last 21 international fixtures.
• Iraq, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency, losing eight of their previous 21 games.
• Les Bleus’ opening match in this World Cup saw a total of four goals being scored.
• Iraq’s first game in the competition was a high-scoring affair, with a total of five goals.
• Kylian Mbappé was the standout performer against Senegal, finding the back of the net twice.
• Aymen Hussein is Iraq’s main goal threat, having scored against Norway.

Predictions for France vs. Iraq - Goals expected in this clash

France enters this match with huge confidence after their dominant 3-1 opening victory against Senegal. Their powerful attack, led by Kylian Mbappé, suggests they could secure a comfortable win, making the “France -2.5" Asian Handicap an interesting market to consider.

Conversely, Iraq’s defence showed significant vulnerability by conceding four times against Norway in their first game. It seems likely that the French forwards will look to exploit these weaknesses early, making “Over 1.5 Goals" in the first half a strong possibility.

Considering France"s formidable offensive firepower and Iraq"s recent defensive struggles, a high-scoring affair seems almost inevitable. Therefore, our main prediction for this encounter is for there to be over 3.5 goals scored in total during the game, with either team winning.

France x Iraq
Tip	Tip	Best Odd
Asian Handicap	France to win with a -2.5 handicap	at BetMGM
Over/Under	Over 1.5 goals in the first half	1.92 at BetMGM

The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.

Best markets to bet on France vs. Iraq

Explore more of our recommended bets on France vs. Iraq below for this anticipated World Cup group stage match.

🔥 Half-Time Result: France - 1.35 at BetMGM

Given France"s strong start against Senegal and their attacking power, they are likely to take control early on. Expect them to lead the match at the break.

🔥 Corners - Full Time: France - 1.05 at BetMGM

France’s offensive style should result in numerous attacks and set pieces, meaning they are expected to win the corner count quite comfortably.

Where to watch France vs. Iraq?

Here is where to watch France vs. Iraq live:

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

France vs. Iraq - Match details

Check out 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 iPlayer (GBR), BBC One (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)

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