Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Ousmane Dembélé added a goal as France cruised to a 3-0 win over Iraq, maintaining their perfect start in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
At a sun-drenched stadium that felt more like a training ground than a World Cup stage, France produced a performance of clinical precision and controlled dominance. Kylian Mbappé, as he so often does, provided the spark, scoring twice to lead Les Bleus to a 3-0 victory over Iraq in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The win was never in doubt from the moment Mbappé slotted home in the 14th minute, and by the time Ousmane Dembélé added a third just past the hour, the only question was how many more France would score.
Summary
France continued their flawless start to the World Cup, making it two wins from two after a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opener. Iraq, meanwhile, suffered a second consecutive defeat, having lost 3-0 to France and previously 4-1 to Norway. The gulf in class was evident from the first whistle, as France dominated possession (56%) and created chance after chance, racking up 17 total shots to Iraq's four. The visitors managed just one shot on target all match, and that was comfortably saved by the French goalkeeper.
Key Moments
6th minute: Iraq's Amir Al-Ammari went into the book for a late challenge, a sign of the frustration that would build as France took control.
14th minute: The deadlock was broken. Michael Olise, making his presence felt with a series of incisive passes, threaded a ball through to Mbappé, who finished calmly past the Iraqi goalkeeper. 1-0 France.
54th minute: Mbappé doubled his tally shortly after the restart. Ousmane Dembélé, lively down the right, picked out the run of his captain, and Mbappé made no mistake from close range. 2-0.
66th minute: Dembélé got the goal his performance deserved. Olise again turned provider, slipping a pass to Dembélé, who cut inside and fired low into the corner. 3-0.
Match Analysis
France's approach was methodical and relentless. They pressed high, forced Iraq into errors, and then exploited the spaces with devastating efficiency. The midfield trio, anchored by a solid defensive base, allowed the front three of Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise to roam and combine. Iraq, by contrast, struggled to string passes together, often resorting to long balls that were easily mopped up by the French centre-backs, Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, who were both imperious.
The statistics paint a clear picture: France had 17 total shots, nine off target and four on target, while Iraq managed just four shots, none on target. The visitors' only real chance came from a set piece that was headed wide. France's goalkeeper was a spectator for much of the game, making zero saves, while Iraq's keeper was forced into one save. The game was played largely in Iraq's half, with France earning four corners to Iraq's two, and the home side committing seven fouls to Iraq's four—a reflection of their dominance rather than any defensive frailty.
Player Performances
Kylian Mbappé (9.2 rating): The star of the show. Two goals from two shots on target, both taken with the composure of a world-class finisher. His movement off the ball caused Iraq's defence constant problems, and he could have had a hat-trick had a late effort not been blocked.
Ousmane Dembélé (9.0 rating): A goal and an assist, Dembélé was a constant menace down the right flank. His pace and dribbling carved open Iraq's defence repeatedly, and his finish for the third goal was a moment of individual brilliance.
Michael Olise (7.62 rating): The creator-in-chief. Two assists and three key passes underlined his importance to this French side. His vision and passing range added a new dimension to France's attack.
Dayot Upamecano (7.55) and William Saliba (7.44): The centre-back pairing were untroubled, winning aerial duels and cutting out any threat before it developed. Their composure on the ball allowed France to build from the back.
Jules Koundé (7.45): Solid at right-back, contributing a key pass and overlapping well with Dembélé.
Key Stats
- Possession: France 56% – 44% Iraq
- Total Shots: France 17 – 4 Iraq
- Shots on Target: France 4 – 0 Iraq
- Corner Kicks: France 4 – 2 Iraq
- Fouls: France 7 – 4 Iraq
- Yellow Cards: France 0 – 1 Iraq (Amir Al-Ammari)
- Goalkeeper Saves: France 0 – 1 Iraq
What This Means
France sit top of Group I with six points from two games, a goal difference of +5, and a growing aura of invincibility. Their performances have been authoritative, and they look well set to qualify for the knockout stages with games to spare. For Iraq, the tournament is already a battle for pride. With zero points and a goal difference of -6, their hopes of progression are all but over. They will need to regroup quickly if they are to salvage anything from their remaining group matches.
What Happens Next
France will look to continue their winning run when they face their next group opponent, while Iraq will be desperate to get their first points on the board. Les Bleus will be confident of maintaining their momentum, but they will be wary of complacency. For Iraq, the focus will be on restoring some defensive solidity after conceding seven goals in two matches. The group stage continues, and every point matters.
