France Overcomes Storm Delay to Defeat Iraq 3-0 at World Cup

France continued its strong performance at the 2026 World Cup despite a two-hour storm break, decisively defeating Iraq 3-0 at Philadelphia Stadium on June 23, 2026. The storm, which included severe thunderstorms, halted play for over two hours, yet the French team was undeterred.

Kylian Mbappé, playing his 100th match, added two goals to his tally, furthering his rivalry with Lionel Messi. The first came from outside the box after a dominant spell of French pressure, while the second was a simple tap-in following a defensive error from Iraq. Ousmane Dembélé netted the third goal, marking his first at a major tournament.

Didier Deschamps, head coach of France, confirmed their qualification for the knockout stages and was able to rest key players, including Dembélé and Michael Olise, who were substituted in the 60th minute to preserve their energy for future matches. "It’s the first time it has happened to me or my players", Deschamps remarked about the lengthy interruption, jokingly noting they played cards during the break. "The most important part is we have six points and have qualified for the round of 32."

France wasted no time exerting pressure on Iraq, overwhelming their defense. The first goal materialized after 10 minutes of relentless attacking, with defenders frantically trying to contain the French assaults. Mbappé received a well-placed assist from Olise after a buildup down the right flank with Jules Koundé. His left-footed strike proved too powerful, getting past goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.

After the hydration break, Iraq managed to regroup, and a substitution was made with Ali al-Hamadi replacing the injured Aymen Hussein. Al-Hamadi's entry brought an immediate challenge to the French defense, nearly resulting in a goal shortly after.

However, a heavy rainstorm during half-time led to a delay, with the stadium announcers advising fans to take shelter. Over an hour later, officials confirmed that play would resume, albeit under challenging conditions.

When play finally restarted, France capitalized on a major defensive mistake. Zaid Tahseen's poor goal-kick allowed Dembélé to assist Mbappé for his second goal. In the 60th minute, Dembélé scored after a swift pass from Olise, sealing the victory for France.

Iraq's head coach Graham Arnold noted the difficulties posed by the long stoppage, stating, "The two-hour stoppage in the game made it much harder for the players." He acknowledged the match against one of the top teams in the world, citing their time of possession as a bright spot despite the scoreline. "We out-possessed them but ultimately they outscored us," Arnold concluded.