PHILADELPHIA, JOURNALARTA.COM – France opened the 2026 World Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday (6/22/2026) local time, or early Tuesday WIB. The first three points immediately lifted Les Bleus to second place in the provisional Group B standings.
The win matters. Not just because of the points, but because France now have psychological momentum ahead of their headline clash with Norway on Matchday 2. In the other game on the same day, Norway beat Senegal 3-0, which put them ahead of France on goal difference.
Clear Dominance, Meager Return
France won, yes, but not without a few notes attached. Their possession reached 79 percent compared with Iraq’s 21 percent. France also completed 95 percent of their passes, while Iraq managed 67 percent. Yet from all that control over 90 minutes, Les Bleus scored only once, and it came from their only shot on target.
Iraq? Zero shots on target. They struggled to break out of Didier Deschamps’ 4-2-3-1 setup, which kept pressing from the opening minute.
France lineup: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Dembélé, Barcola; Mbappé. Kylian Mbappé led the attack, but efficiency remains an issue for Deschamps.
| Stat | France | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 79% | 21% |
| Shots on Target | 1 | 0 |
| Passing Accuracy | 95% | 67% |
| Formation | 4-2-3-1 | 4-2-3-1 |
Current Group B Standings
After Matchday 1, Group B looks like this:
| Pos | Team | Played | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Iraq | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4 | Senegal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
Norway lead France on goal difference. Both sides have three points, but Norway’s 3-0 win over Senegal made the difference at the top.
Under the new 48-team 2026 World Cup format, the top two teams from each group automatically advance to the round of 32. The eight best third-placed teams from across all groups also move on, meaning Iraq are not out yet, but they must win their next match.
Matchday 2 Stakes: France vs Norway
This is the clash everyone wanted. France face Norway on Matchday 2 in a game that will almost certainly decide who finishes Group B as winner. For Deschamps, finishing first is about more than pride. Winning the group offers a smoother path in the knockout rounds, away from top seeds on the other side of the bracket.
Iraq, meanwhile, must beat Senegal. A loss or draw would leave their qualification hopes dependent entirely on results elsewhere in the group — a narrow road, and one they cannot control themselves.
France can enjoy the night. But with just one shot on target from 90 minutes of 79 percent possession, Deschamps has plenty to review before facing Erling Haaland and company.
Short FAQ
What was the final score of France vs Iraq? France won 1-0 in Matchday 1 of Group B at the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia on Monday, June 22, 2026.
What is the current Group B standings? Norway and France both have three points. Norway lead on goal difference. Iraq and Senegal have no points.
When does France play next? Matchday 2 against Norway, with the official schedule to follow from FIFA.
To see live scores and schedules, analysis, predictions, games, and the latest news around the 2026 World Cup, visit: JournalArta Special Event https://journalarta.com/en/sports/world-cup-2026-bracket/
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