France showed exactly why they are among the tournament's most dangerous sides with a crucial 3-0 win over Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, moving to the top of their group at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The victory is a commanding statement in a tournament featuring 48 nations for the first time in history, co-hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Three points from the opening fixture places France firmly in control of their own destiny, needing only consistent results to advance to the round of 16 alongside the best third-placed finishers.
This 3-goal contest featured some fine finishing, though scorer details are yet to be confirmed by official sources.
France edged the territorial battle, finishing with 55.6% possession against their opponent's 44.4%. The shot count read 19 to 4 — France showed greater menace in the final third but the numbers only tell part of the story.
France top their group with a maximum haul of three points from the opening fixture. For Iraq, the recovery work begins immediately — there is plenty of football still to play in a format that gives every team a genuine chance to qualify. The 68,324 crowd inside Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania played their part throughout.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first with 48 nations — has been defined by its unpredictability. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, it offers football fans a spectacle unlike anything seen before, with matches spread across iconic venues on three continents.
