World Cup: Olise and Upamecano start as France meet Iraq in Group I

In their penultimate Group I encounter at the 2026 World Cup, France come in as hot favourites as they take on Iraq this evening. The Philadelphia Stadium, home of the local NFL side the Philly Eagles, will host the game which is scheduled to kick-off around 23:00 CET tonight. 

Les Bleus, under the tutelage of Didier Deschamps for the final time in an international tournament, will be hoping to kick on after their 3-1 win over Senegal. Bayern Munich talisman Michael Olise delivered a masterful display in that opener, picking up the man of the match accolade.

As for Iraq, they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Norway. However, the score line is, perhaps, a tad misleading. Aymen Hussein netted a beautiful goal, but defensive lapses ultimately resulted in the second-half getting away from them. Now, they have a chance to prove themselves against one of the best.

With first place in the group firmly on their mind, it comes as no surprise that France only make three changes. Bayern Munich duo Dayot Upamencano and Michael Olise remain, while ex-Borussia Mönchengladbach man Manu Koné replaces Tchouameni in the middle third. 

Confirmed France vs. Iraq lineups:

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan – Kounde, Upamencano, Saliba, Digne – Koné, Rabiot – Olise, Dembélé, Barcola – Mbappé

Iraq (4-5-1): Basil – Ali, Tahseen, Hashim, Doski – Bayesh, Ismael, Al Almmari, Iqbal, Quasem – Hussein