Mbappe shines with 2 goals as France beat Iraq to book place in World Cup Round of 32
DUBAI: France beat Iraq 3-0 at the Philadelphia Stadium to go top of Group I and secure their place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
Iraq Sport News
Kylian Mbappé makes it rain as storms delay France win - ESPN
In a World Cup match that was delayed for over two hours because of thunder and lightning in the Philadelphia area, it was France star Kylian Mbappé who made it rain while the game was being played.
France-Iraq World Cup game restarts after two-hour storm delay
PHILADELPHIA: The World Cup match between France and Iraq on Monday (Jun 22) restarted after a severe weather alert led to the half-time interval lasting over two hours.
Norway and Senegal name unchanged teams
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 22 : Norway coach Stale Solbakken named an unchanged side for Monday's World Cup Group I match against Senegal, keeping faith with the team who beat Iraq 4-1 in their tournament opener. Senegal also stuck with the lineup that started their 3-1 defeat by France.
France v Iraq World Cup game second half in Philadelphia delayed due to thunderstorms, FIFA says
PHILADELPHIA, June 22 : France and Iraq players were left waiting in their dressing rooms at halftime after thunderstorms forced a delay to the start of the second half of their World Cup clash on Monday.
Barcola in, Doue out as Deschamps makes three changes to France team
PHILADELPHIA, June 22 : France coach Didier Deschamps made three changes to the side that beat Senegal in their World Cup opener for Monday's Group I clash with Iraq, bringing in Lucas Digne, Manu Kone and Bradley Barcola for Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni and Desire Doue.
Stadium gates for France v Iraq game in Philadelphia now open
NEW YORK, June 22 : World Cup organisers opened the gates at Philadelphia Stadium after a 40-minute delay after they had urged fans to stay away from the venue amid threatening weather in the area on Monday.
Ageless Messi has World Cup scoring record in his sights
LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi and World Cup holders Argentina face Austria in Dallas on Monday with the Argentine great needing one more goal to rewrite the record books. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals when scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 opening win over Algeria. The Argentina captain was tearful after his first goal, and it later emerged that his father is recovering from an unspecified health issue. Despite his personal travails and a troubled build-up because of a hamstring injury, Messi’s mere presence appears to inspire his teammates. “If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” said midfielder Alexis Mac Allister after the win against Algeria. Argentina can qualify for the next round with a victory and would be assured of finishing top of Group J if Jordan fail to beat Algeria later on Monday. Mbappe’s century Another player chasing the all-time World Cup scoring record, Kylian Mbappe, will play his 100th game for France when they meet Iraq in Philadelphia. “There is nothing bigger — one hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me,” Mbappe told reporters on Sunday. Mbappe, 27, is tied with West Germany legend Gerd Mueller on 14 goals after he netted twice in France’s opening 3-1 win against Senegal in Group I. France, who were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the last final in 2022, will expect to brush aside the Iraqis to guarantee a ticket to the knockout phase. Norway and their marksman Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win, will also be guaranteed of