France face Iraq on Monday, June 22 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, a Group I clash that could send the two time champions through to the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
This blog covers everything you need to know about how to watch and stream France vs Iraq online, along with team news, kick off times, broadcast options, squad details and tactical analysis.
Key Details
- Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
- Kick off Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. BST / 11:00 p.m. CEST)
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports and Telemundo (USA) | BBC and ITV (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India) | CTV, TSN and RDS (Canada)
Where to Watch France vs Iraq Football World Cup Match?
Official broadcasters for this match include Fox Sports and Telemundo in the United States, BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom, SBS in Australia, Zee5 in India, and CTV, TSN and RDS in Canada. In France, the game airs on TF1 and beIN Sports.
Fox Sports coverage in the US is free to air with a cable package, while BBC and ITV in the UK broadcast the match for free through their standard channels and apps.
How to watch France vs Iraq with a VPN
If the match is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to BBC iPlayer, one of the official UK broadcasters for this fixture. BBC iPlayer is geoblocked outside the UK, so a VPN is needed to assign you a British IP address.
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit BBC iPlayer and sign in, or create a free account.
- Search for the France vs Iraq match and start streaming live.
PureVPN’s terms of service apply, and viewers should always check the broadcaster’s own terms before streaming any live event.
France vs Iraq Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Both sides arrive at Lincoln Financial Field with very different storylines following their opening matchday results.
France
Didier Deschamps has managed France since 2012, and the 2026 tournament marks his third consecutive World Cup in charge and his last with the national team. He won the trophy as a player in 1998 and again as head coach in 2018, then guided France to the final in 2022, losing to Argentina on penalties. Deschamps confirmed he will not renew his contract once France’s run in this tournament ends.
France opened their World Cup with a 3 1 win over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 16. The match was goalless and cagey for an hour before France produced a string of clinical second half goals, led by captain Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe scored twice in that game and now sits within reach of Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals.
Captain Kylian Mbappe leads the side in his third World Cup finals, with 12 goals heading into the tournament and a chance to reach 100 caps for France during this run. Deschamps has reported no significant injury concerns within the squad heading into the Iraq match. The headline omission from the squad announcement on May 14 was Eduardo Camavinga, left out despite a strong Champions League season at Real Madrid, while Hugo Ekitike missed selection through a long term Achilles injury.
France’s attacking options run deep, with reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise providing width, Marcus Thuram offering an alternative central focus, and N’Golo Kante’s experience anchoring midfield alongside the energy of Warren Zaire Emery. Deschamps typically deploys a 4 3 3 that can shift into a 4 2 3 1 depending on the opponent, prioritising defensive solidity and midfield control before trusting his forwards to create chances in the final third. France enter this match as the top ranked nation in the world and heavy favourites to progress from Group I.
Iraq
Graham Arnold took charge of Iraq in May 2025 after two spells managing Australia, including a Round of 16 finish at the 2022 World Cup. He inherited a qualification campaign hanging by a thread, having replaced Jesus Casas, and guided Iraq through the AFC playoffs and a dramatic intercontinental playoff win over Bolivia to reach this tournament. This is Iraq’s first World Cup appearance since 1986, ending a 40 year absence from the global stage.
Iraq opened their tournament with a 4 1 defeat to Norway in Boston on June 16, conceding twice before half time. Aymen Hussein scored Iraq’s goal in that match, continuing his form as the squad’s leading scorer through qualifying with eight goals. Iraq’s preparation included a 1 1 draw with Spain followed by a 2 0 defeat to Venezuela in their final warm up friendly on June 9 in Bridgeview, Illinois, a match in which Ali Yousif was sent off.
Captain Jalal Hassan brings more than 100 caps and years of service at Al Zawraa to anchor the side from goal, though young goalkeeper Ahmed Basil has pushed hard for the starting spot throughout preparation. No major injury or suspension concerns have been confirmed for Iraq heading into the France match, though the heavy defeat to Norway exposed clear defensive vulnerabilities that Arnold will look to address. Ali Al Hamadi, the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League, gives the side a transitional outlet alongside the physical presence of Aymen Hussein up front.
Arnold builds his Iraq side around a compact mid block defensive structure and disciplined counter attacking play, aiming to frustrate stronger opponents rather than dominate possession. A result here is close to essential for Iraq, since a second straight defeat would leave their final group game against Senegal as a must win fixture simply to have any realistic hope of progressing.
France World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
- Defenders: Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix
- Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire Emery
- Attackers: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram
Iraq World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib, Jalal Hassan, Ahmed Basil
- Defenders: Hussein Ali, Manaf Younis, Ahmed Yahya, Mustafa Saadoon, Zaid Tahseen, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski, Zaid Ismail, Frans Putros
- Midfielders: Amir Al Ammari, Kevin Yakob, Zidane Iqbal, Aimar Sher, Ibrahim Bayesh, Ahmed Qasem, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji
- Attackers: Ali Jassim, Ali Al Hamadi, Ali Yousef, Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali
France VS Iraq Match Preview
France and Iraq meet for the first time in either nation’s history on June 22 at Lincoln Financial Field, a venue hosting several pivotal Group I fixtures across the tournament’s opening stages. With no head to head record between these two teams, current form and squad quality are the only available guides heading into this fixture.
France’s route to this match has been built on the qualities of a squad ranked first in the world, headlined by their Champions League winning attacking trio and a defence anchored by Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. Iraq’s path here was a 21 match marathon through Asian qualifying and a nerve shredding intercontinental playoff, and they now face the steepest test of that entire journey just one game into the tournament proper.
The stakes are straightforward. France can all but seal a Round of 32 place with a second win and may even consider resting key players for their group finale against Norway. Iraq, by contrast, face a real prospect of early elimination if they suffer back to back defeats, leaving their meeting with Senegal as a winner takes all finale for their World Cup survival.
Tactical Outlook
France are expected to control possession through Tchouameni and Kante in central midfield, using the pace of Dembele and Olise on the flanks to stretch Iraq’s back line before Mbappe finishes the moves centrally. Iraq are likely to sit in a deep, compact block in front of Jalal Hassan, looking to deny space between the lines and break quickly through Al Hamadi and Hussein on the counter.
The key individual matchup is Mbappe against an Iraqi back line that conceded four goals to Norway, with his movement in behind likely to test Hussein Ali and Manaf Younis throughout the match. Iraq’s path to any positive result depends on early defensive discipline, since a slow start similar to the one against Norway would make a heavy scoreline difficult to avoid against a France side this clinical in front of goal.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | City |
|---|---|---|
| June 19 | USA vs. Australia | Seattle |
| June 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | Boston |
| June 20 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Philadelphia |
| June 20 | Turkiye vs. Paraguay | San Francisco |
| June 20 | Netherlands vs. Sweden | Houston |
| June 20 | Germany vs. Cote d’Ivoire | Toronto |
| June 21 | Ecuador vs. Curacao | Kansas City |
| June 21 | Tunisia vs. Japan | Monterrey |
| June 21 | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | Atlanta |
| June 21 | Belgium vs. IR Iran | Los Angeles |
| June 21 | Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde | Miami |
| June 22 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | Vancouver |
| June 22 | Argentina vs. Austria | Dallas |
| June 22 | France vs. Iraq | Philadelphia |
| June 23 | Norway vs. Senegal | New York/NJ |
| June 23 | Jordan vs. Algeria | San Francisco |
| June 23 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | Houston |
| June 23 | England vs. Ghana | Boston |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in 2026 Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the 2026 Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
France play Iraq on Monday, June 22, 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Both nations are in Group I alongside Senegal and Norway, with France and Norway level on points after matchday one.
France beat Senegal 3 1 in their tournament opener and head into this fixture without any reported injury concerns.
Aymen Hussein leads Iraq’s attack, having scored Iraq’s only goal of the tournament so far against Norway and netted eight times during qualifying.
Using a VPN to access streaming services is legal in most countries, though it may breach individual broadcasters’ terms of service, so viewers should check local regulations and platform rules before streaming.
No, this fixture marks the first ever meeting between the two nations in either side’s international history.
