France vs Iraq, 2026 FIFA World Cup live score: Players return to the field to warm up as kick-off takes place after 20-minute weather delay – The

France vs Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: Players return to the field to warm up as kick-off begins after 20-minute weather delay

The players are back on the field and are currently warming up after the long delay. It’s still raining in Philadelphia, but conditions are gradually being assessed as the game is expected to resume in about 20 minutes.

Live score of France vs Iraq, HT, 1-0: BREAKING – Match will start 20 minutes after weather delay after warm-ups

The French Football Federation has confirmed that the game will resume at 7:50pm ET, with players expected to return for warm-ups at 7:30pm ET following the surprise delay in Philadelphia.

France vs Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: Replay time not confirmed as thunderstorm continues to delay second half kick-off

The revised start time has not yet been shown as the threat of thunderstorms must be completely cleared before players can return to the field. Once conditions improve, both teams will need approximately 15 minutes of warm-ups before play resumes. Under FIFA regulations, a restart is not permitted until no lightning strike is detected within an eight-mile radius for 30 continuous minutes, with the clock reset in the event of another strike.

France-Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: FIFA statement on weather delay

Due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the FIFA World Cup match between France and Iraq was suspended.

A 30-minute break was announced. However, the situation remains under observation to determine whether further delays are expected. FIFA will follow the safety protocols established by local authorities and the match will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.

France vs. Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: Explained – Thunderstorm delay protocol halts play in Philadelphia

France vs Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: Fans evacuate their seats as a severe thunderstorm hits Philadelphia

Fans were instructed on stadium screens to vacate their seats and move to shelters due to the thunderstorm.

France vs. Iraq Live Score, HT, 1-0: A severe storm warning halts the start of the second half in Philadelphia

France vs Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: Second half delayed by lightning in Philadelphia as heavy rain continues to fall

The game is currently underway in the first half with France taking a 1-0 lead through Mbappe’s early strike, but the start of the second half has been delayed by brisk activity in the Philadelphia area. The heavy rain continues to fall, as fans take shelter in the concourses and come out in full force across Lincoln Financial Field.

The delay is expected to last at least 15 minutes, with the possibility of a longer wait depending on weather conditions. Safety protocols require a clean-up period after the last lightning strike, meaning restarting could be delayed again if the storm persists.

France vs Iraq live score, HT, 1-0: Mbappe’s strike separates the two sides as France takes the lead at the end of the first half

Kylian Mbappé’s early goal remained the difference in the first half, with France taking the lead after a dominant start. Iraq improved in their game, especially after the break, showing better resistance and occasional threat on the counter-attack, but struggled to really test Mike Maignan.

France dominated long periods of possession and remained the more dangerous side, with Mbappe continuing to cause problems every time he got on the ball. Iraq will feel like they are still in the competition, but will need more precision in the final third after the break.

France-Iraq live score, 45+1, 1-0: Iraq wins on a free kick with three extra minutes confirmed in the rain in Philadelphia

A direct free kick to Iraq in a promising place after Amir Al Hammadi was obstructed by Manu Kone. This free kick gives them a late chance to test France before half-time, with three minutes of extra time confirmed as rain continues to fall heavily in Philadelphia.

Live score of France vs. Iraq, 41, 1-0: Mbappe was denied while Ali made the final intervention in the penalty area.

Mbappe almost scored his second goal of the night when he deflected and passed Zaid Tahseen inside the penalty area, creating space for the shot. As he prepared to end the game, Hussein Ali delivered a brilliant cross to snatch the ball away at the crucial moment, preventing what looked like a certain goal.

France-Iraq live score, 40, 1-0: Mbappé shoots from long range while Payès goes down after Rabiot’s challenge

Mbappe tries his luck from a distance, but his shot goes over the crossbar and does not bother the goalkeeper. There was a brief moment of worry just before that, as Ibrahim Bayish went down clutching his leg after a challenge with Adrien Rabiot, with Iraq calling for a foul, but play continues.

France-Iraq live score, 36′, 1-0: Rainfall in Philadelphia and Iraq slows France’s pace

Iraq have done well to keep this match to just one goal so far, managing to slow down France and disrupt the game. Their offensive flow. The rain is now falling heavily in Philadelphia, with fans wearing ponchos in the stands as conditions worsen. There have been no weather delays so far, although there was a brief warning before the game when a thunderstorm passed over the stadium.

France-Iraq live score, 33′, 1-0: Mbappe continues to threaten as Iraq start brighter after water break

Iraq came out of the humidification break looking on the better side, pressing higher and showing more intent to go forward, while France slowed their pace slightly to regain control through possession. However, Mbappe remains a constant threat, with another shot from the edge of the box blocked, and Iraq unable to continue giving him shooting opportunities.

Live score of the France-Iraq match, 31 minutes, 1-0: Iraq wins a corner as Al-Amari advances deep.

Iraq have looked much improved since the break, showing more intent to go forward and forcing Lucas Digne into a corner down the right. However, Ammari’s free kick was deflected and went past everyone in the penalty area, allowing France to clear the ball and eventually win a throw-in.

France-Iraq live score, 13 minutes, 1-0: How did Mbappe fare in that stunning opening match?

Mbappe connects superbly with Michael Olise, playing a stylish exchange before the return pass is only half cleared by the Iraqi defence. The ball returns to Mbappe at the top right side of the penalty area, and he shoots a thunderous ball with his left foot into the far corner, without leaving Ahmed Bassil any opportunity. A stunning finish from the France captain as he moves to 15 World Cup goals and continues his chase behind Lionel Messi.

France-Iraq live score, 13′, 1-0: Mbappé puts France ahead in his 100th appearance

goal! Mbappé gives France the lead. A perfect moment on his 100th appearance as he finished off a clinical game to put his team ahead.

Live score of France vs Iraq, 10′, 0-0: France dominates early possession as Iraq struggles to get out of their own half

France are keeping their opponents pinned deep in their own half at the moment. It was a strong start from Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom looked lively and dangerous in the early exchanges.

Iraq started the match and immediately went wide, resulting in a goal kick for France. If that was intended as a throw-in, it was poorly executed.

In the 6th minute, France got its first real attack through Mbappe, who received a foul from Amir Lamari, earning an early yellow card. Iraq will need to be careful in the remaining minutes, as it could turn into a long night of alert defence.

Iraq and France match live broadcast: Iraq and France match with a 4-2-3-1 formation in the World Cup match

Iraq lined up in an identical 4-2-3-1 formation to face France’s system in the first group match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The setup shows a balanced approach from the Iraqi side as they aim to remain defensively compact while looking to break the transition quickly.

The official formation of Iraq was as follows:

goalkeeper:

Ahmed Basil

Defenders:

Hussein Ali (right back)

Akam Hashem (center back)

Zaid Tahseen (centre-back)

Mirchas Doski (left back)

Midfield:

Amir Al-Ammari (defensive midfield)

Zaid Ismail (midfielder)

Attacking midfield/wingers:

Ibrahim Bayesh (right wing)

Zidane Iqbal (attacking midfielder / No. 10)

Ahmed Qasim (left wing)

forward:

Ayman Hussein (captain and striker)*

Live score of the France-Iraq match: Deschamps names the strong starting lineup against Iraq

France prepared a 4-2-3-1 formation for their 2026 World Cup Group A match against Iraq, with head coach Didier Deschamps making three tactical changes from the previous match. Lucas Digne, Manu Kone and Bradley Barkola are in the starting line-up as France look to control the ball and add more width in attack.

France’s confirmed starting lineup is as follows:

goalkeeper:
Mike Minyan

Defenders:
Jules Kounde (right back)
Dayot Upamecano (center back)
William Saliba (centre-back)
Lucas Digne (left back)

Midfield:
Manu Kone (midfielder)
Adrien Rabiot (midfielder)

Attacking midfield/wingers:
Ousmane Dembélé (right wing)
Michael Olise (attacking midfielder / No. 10)
Bradley Barkula (left wing)

forward:
Kylian Mbappé (Captain and striker)

Iraq vs France live broadcast: Al-Rafidain Lions choose the XI to face France

— IraqNT_EN (@IraqNT_EN)

Live score of the France-Iraq match: France unveils the starting lineup, with Kylian Mbappé leading the France national team on the night of his 100th appearance.

– French Team (@FrenchTeam)

World Cup 2026 live score: Graham Arnold seeks a rare coaching feat with Iraq

Graham Arnold’s presence at this World Cup is a huge achievement in itself. Having overseen 72 caps for Australia and leading the Socceroos to the round of 16 at Qatar 2022, Arnold accepted one of the toughest assignments in international football when he took over as coach of Iraq.

Its effect was immediate. Iraq’s qualification hopes had begun to fade before his arrival, but he succeeded in revitalizing the campaign and eventually led the country through the final stages of the qualifiers.

If Iraq continue their World Cup journey beyond the group stage, Arnold will add to his already impressive international coaching CV. He is on his way to becoming one of the few coaches to have led different teams from the same association in a World Cup, joining an exceptionally exclusive group.

However, for now, his attention is focused on a task that would rank among the biggest results of his coaching career. Iraq face a French side packed with world-class talent, but Arnold has spent much of his career proving that organisation, belief and discipline can close even wide gaps on paper. Tonight offers another opportunity to do just that.

France vs Iraq Live Score: Didier Deschamps continues to strive for another chapter in football history

Didier Deschamps occupies a unique place in football history. As captain, he lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1998. As a coach, he repeated the feat in Russia in 2018 and later led France to the 2022 final in Qatar.

His current World Cup campaign is expected to be the final chapter of a reign that began in 2012, which has transformed France into the standard of consistency in international football. During that period, the French national team reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, won the World Cup, reached the World Cup final again, and established itself as one of the strongest national teams in the sport.

Only three men have won the World Cup as players or coaches: Mario Zagallo, Franz Beckenbauer and Deschamps. Another deep run in North America would bolster his claims to be considered alongside the greatest international managers the game has produced.

What distinguished Deschamps throughout this period was his ability to constantly renew the team without sacrificing competitiveness. Established stars have departed, younger players have emerged, but France continues to reach major tournaments with realistic ambitions to lift the trophy.

Iraq vs France Live Score: Iraq’s return to the World Cup completes a 40-year journey

For Iraq, this World Cup means much more than results alone. The Mesopotamian Lions arrived in North America having completed one of the longest and most demanding qualification campaigns of any team in the tournament.

Their campaign spanned 21 matches over 28 months, with 15 wins, three draws and only three defeats. Iraq dominated the second round of the Asian qualifiers with six wins from six matches before narrowly missing out on direct qualification in the third round. More action followed in the repechage stage, with a regional play-off and eventually an intercontinental clash with Bolivia in Monterrey, where goals from Ali Al Hammadi and Ayman Hussein secured their place. A in the World Cup.

The achievement had enormous emotional significance for a country that had waited four decades to return to football’s biggest stadiums after their only previous appearance at Mexico 1986.

Although the opening defeat to Norway was disappointing, Iraq managed to find the back of the net and remain competitive for long periods. Against France, Graham Arnold’s side face one of the toughest tests in international football, but they also have a chance to achieve one of the defining results in modern football history.

France vs. Iraq Live Score: France arrives in Philadelphia with great team momentum and depth

Few countries enter the major tournaments with a stronger combination than France and emerging talent. Didier Deschamps has spent more than a decade building a team capable of competing on multiple fronts, and the depth available to him is one of the main reasons why France are still viewed as one of the favorites to win in North America.

Mike Maignane provides security in goal, while William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Dayo Upamecano form the backbone of a defense brimming with elite-level experience. In midfield, Aurelien Chouamini continues to grow into one of the most influential players in European football, supported by the ever-present presence of N’Golo Kante.

The attack options remain particularly scary. Kylian Mbappé is the main figure, but he is supported by Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Desire Du and Rayan Chergui, ensuring that France have a host of profiles capable of changing matches in different ways.

Their opening win over Senegal was not without blemishes, but it reinforced a familiar theme surrounding Deschamps’ side. Even when France are not operating at their absolute peak, they retain the ability to dominate matches through moments of individual brilliance and collective quality.

World Cup 2026 live score: Group A qualifying race still wide open ahead of France-Iraq clash

Group A enters its second round of matches with a lot of matters still to be resolved, despite France and Norway opening their campaign with victories. Norway currently occupies the top spot on goal difference after defeating Iraq 4-1, while France occupies second place after defeating Senegal 3-1. Iraq and Senegal remain without points but neither side has been eliminated from the competition.

This creates a lot of pressure on both teams entering Philadelphia. France knows that achieving its second victory in a row will put it in an advanced position before its final group stage confrontation with Norway. Meanwhile, Iraq is trying to avoid a scenario in which qualification depends entirely on results elsewhere during the final round of matches.

The expanded 48-team format has opened new paths to the knockout stages, but has also increased the importance of avoiding defeat in the group stage. For Iraq, a positive result against one of the tournament’s favorite teams would dramatically change the shape of Group Nine. For France, it represents an opportunity to confirm its credentials as a genuine World Cup title contender once again.