France kicked off their World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Iraq at the Stade de France. Kylian Mbappé scored a brace, while Antoine Griezmann added a third, as the hosts dominated from start to finish.
First Half Domination
France took control early, with Mbappé opening the scoring in the 12th minute. The forward latched onto a through ball from N'Golo Kanté and slotted past the Iraqi goalkeeper. France continued to press, and Griezmann doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a curling free kick.
Second Half Control
Iraq struggled to create chances, managing only one shot on target. Mbappé sealed the win in the 67th minute, finishing a cross from Ousmane Dembélé. France finished with 68% possession and 15 shots to Iraq's 3.
Impact and Analysis
According to pundits, France's performance sends a strong message to rivals. Coach Didier Deschamps praised his team's discipline. Iraq's coach acknowledged the gap in quality, saying, "We faced a world-class team; we must learn from this." France next face Argentina, while Iraq meet Saudi Arabia.
