France vs. Iraq FIFA World Cup 2026 odds, betting picks
Les Bleus wasted no time proving why they are now the favourite to win the World Cup. Iraq, while posting a valiant effort, proved why they are the favourites to finish bottom of their group. The two sides meet up in a Group I match on Monday in Philadelphia at 5 p.m. ET.
Kylian Mbappe, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, again threw his hat in the race to be the tournament’s most prolific goalscorer, as he had a brace in a 3-1 victory over Senegal.
Substitute Bradley Barcola also scored as the French shook off a lacklustre first half to gain a bit of revenge for Senegal’s 2002 World Cup win in those teams’ last meeting in this tournament.
Aymen Hussein scored a 39th-minute equalizer, but Iraq was no match for the power of Erling Haaland and Norway in a 4-1 defeat.
France vs. Iraq World Cup how to watch & match info
- Time: Monday, June 22, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Channel: TSN
- Weather: Showers with a chance of a thunderstorm, 23-28° C.
France vs. Iraq betting odds
The French are massive -1000 favourites to win on the World Cup odds board, while Iraq is +3300. The draw is at +900.
The total is set at 2.5 goals, with the Over a heavy -225 favourite. If you fancy France scoring at will, you can take Over 3.5 goals at +110.
France vs. Iraq predicted starting XI lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembele, Doue, Mbappe
Iraq (4-4-2): Hassan, Doski, Hashim, Tahseen, Ali, Jasim, Al-Ammari, Ismael, Bayesh; Hussein, Al-Hamadi.
France FIFA World Cup odds and news
With Spain’s underwhelming draw, France is now firmly established as the World Cup favourite at +400. Mbappe is +275 to win the Golden Boot, tied with Argentina legend Lionel Messi, who had a hat trick in his first game.
It took Les Bleus a half to get into form. Mbappe put the French ahead in the 66th minute against a Senegal side that was doing just enough to keep them off the scoreboard. And goalkeeper Mike Maignan was iffy at times, although he did make one superb stop.
At the end, the Frenchmen’s class shone through. Mbappe became the country’s all-time goals scored leader with 58, surpassing Olivier Giroud. He also now has 14 World Cup goals in his career, just two behind Messi and Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most in the tournament’s history.
When you only have to sub off two players, and those subs are Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and PSG’s Barcola, who scored, your opponents have little to no chance.
Iraq FIFA World Cup odds and news
Iraq was pesky, but it had no answer for Haaland, who had a brace in the first half. Leo Ostigard’s powerful 76th-minute set-piece header clinched the match, and exposed the Iraqis’ deficiencies in such situations.
Jalal Hassan made two saves, but he was slow to react on a back pass that immediately led to Haaland’s second goal.
Ali Al-Hamadi, Akam Hashim, and Hussein Ali all showed quality. Ali Jasim and Amir Al-Ammari linked up in the sequence that led to the 39th-minute equalizer from Hussein. But Iraq was left wanting against Norway, and they’ll do the same against France, and most likely, Senegal.
That’s why the Iraqis are -750 to finish bottom of the table.
France vs. Iraq player odds and props
Mbappe is now -200 to score after responding as a -110 option in the opener. Michael Olise (+105), Ousmane Dembele (-110), and Desire Doue (+120) are all attractive options as well.
Iraq was only outshot by Norway, 5-1. Look for France to double that, so Hassan at -190 to make 5 or more saves is an option to consider.
World Cup 2026 bracket and futures
France is listed at -370 to win Group I, and +300 to finish as runners-up if you believe Norway can spring the upset. Les Bleus are +240 to reach the final and +125 to reach the semifinals.
Again, with Iraq, your only viable option is -750 to finish bottom of the table. If you think the Iraqis can upset Senegal and qualify for the knockout stage with three points, you can get them at around +1200 to do so. We don’t see that happening.
France vs. Iraq score prediction
It took roughly 60 to 65 minutes for the powerful French engine to warm up. With the talented Norwegians looking forward to a back-alley brawl in the final group game, look for Les Bleus to pack on goal differential here.
Take France to win easily, 4-0.