Kylian Mbappé Leads France to Victory Against Senegal

Kylian Mbappé spearheaded France's 3-1 victory over Senegal with a clinical brace, as the team prepares to face Iraq in their next 2026 FIFA World Cup match.

What happened in the previous match?

France shook off a lacklustre first-half performance to secure the win, with substitute Bradley Barcola also finding the back of the net. The match was played at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Matchday 1.

How does this affect France's standings?

Following the results, Norway leads Group I on goal difference (+3), with France right behind them (+2) on three points. Iraq endured a challenging opening match against Norway, suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat.

What's next for Kylian Mbappé and France?

France will face Iraq in an important Group I Matchday 2 encounter at the Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania. The fixture marks a massive opportunity for the French to tighten their grip on the group. Iraq will likely deploy a compact mid-block defensive structure, relying heavily on striker Aymen Hussein.

How will Iraq approach the match?

Graham Arnold, the Australian manager of Iraq, is widely expected to reshuffle his starting XI. Zidane Iqbal is strongly tipped to feature in midfield to add composure. France enters the match full of confidence and carries a clean bill of health. Didier Deschamps possesses a terrifying creative engine out wide, with Michael Olise and Mbappé expected to dominate possession. Barcola is also pushing for a starting spot following his impactful cameo against Senegal. The match is scheduled to kick off at 02:30 AM IST on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.