France vs. Iraq projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup 2026 Group I game at Lincoln Financial Field

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With Kylan Mbappe off to a rip-roaring start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France hopes to put itself in position to win Group I as it meets Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday.

Les Bleus began the opening match against Senegal slowly but eventually turned things around as Mbappe's brace led the way in a 3-1 victory. The team is in a dogfight with fellow European side Norway in a chase for the top spot in the group standings.

Iraq suffered at the hands of Erling Haaland in that opening 4-1 defeat to Norway, managing to level the score at one midway through the first half but ultimately succumbed to a double from the Manchester City striker.

The Sporting News brings you a look at the confirmed starting lineups for both teams, as well as an overview of their World Cup squads, plus odds, predictions, and how to watch the game.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

France projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. M. Maignan (GK) — 5. J. Kounde, 4. D. Upamecano, 17. W. Saliba, 3. L. Digne — 6. M. Kone, 14. A. Rabiot — 11. M. Olise, 7. O. Dembele, 20. D. Doue — 10. K. Mbappe

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None
  • On a yellow card: None

The age-old question for both Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique and France boss Didier Deschamps is who to start on the left wing. Should it be Desire Doue, who got the nod in the opener, or Bradley Barcola, who came off the bench to score an important goal?

There will also be questions about the midfield as Adrien Rabiot struggled mightily throughout much of the opening game, but the depth behind him at the No. 8 position is thin.

Iraq projected starting 11

(4-4-2, right to left): 12. J. Hassan (GK) — 3. H. Ali, 4. Z. Tahseen, 5. A. Hashem, 23. M. Doski — 8. I. Bayesh, 14. Z. Iqbal, 16. A. Al-Ammari, 17. A. Jasim — 18. A. Hussein, 9. A. Al Hamadi

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None
  • On a yellow card: Tahseen

Winger Ali Jasim was withdrawn in the 73rd minute of their opening match against Norway with an injury, but he has since returned to training and should be good to go for this match, having played a role in Iraq's lone goal earlier in that game.

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France vs. Iraq prediction, betting odds

Haaland feasted on this Iraq team in their opener, and Mbappe should do the same here.

It may not always look pretty for France, especially in midfield where Rabiot often looked lost as he drifted aimlessly in the opener against Senegal. But Les Bleus are too dangerous to keep a lid on them for too long, and expect Deschamps to keep a tight grip on the first half before letting them loose after the break.

  • Score prediction: France 3-1 Iraq

France vs. Iraq World Cup rosters

Here are the names on the France and Iraq World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.

MORE: Every World Cup squad for all 48 participants

France World Cup squad

MORE: A complete breakdown of France's 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach: Didier Deschamps

PosNo.NameClubAgeCaps
GK16Mike MaignanAC Milan (Serie A, Italy)3038
GK23Robin RisserLens (Ligue 1, France)210
GK1Brice SambaRennes (Ligue 1, France)324
DEF3Lucas DigneAston Villa (Premier League, England)3256
DEF2Malo GustoChelsea (Premier League, England)239
DEF21Lucas HernandezParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 3041
DEF19Theo HernandezAl-Hilal (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)2842
DEF15Ibrahima KonateLiverpool (Premier League, England)2727
DEF5Jules KoundeBarcelona (La Liga, Spain)2746
DEF26Maxence LacroixCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)262
DEF4Dayot UpamecanoBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)2736
DEF17William SalibaArsenal (Premier League, England)2531
MID13N'Golo KanteFenerbahce (Super Lig, Turkey)3567
MID6Manu KoneAS Roma (Serie A, Italy)2512
MID14Adrien RabiotAC Milan (Serie A, Italy)3157
MID8Aurelien TchouameniReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2644
MID18Warren Zaire-EmeryParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 2010
FWD25Maghnes AklioucheMonaco (Ligue 1, France)247
FWD12Bradley BarcolaParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France)2318
FWD24Rayan CherkiManchester City (Premier League, England)225
FWD7Ousmane DembeleParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 2958
FWD20Desire DoueParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 216
FWD22Jean-Philippe MatetaCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)283
FWD10Kylian MbappeReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2796
FWD11Michael OliseBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)2415
FWD9Marcus ThuramInter Milan (Serie A, Italy)2833

Iraq World Cup squad

Head coach: Graham Arnold

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK22Ahmed BasilAl-Shorta (Stars League, Iraq)2915
GK12Jalal HassanAl-Zawraa (Stars League, Iraq)35101
GK1Fahad TalibAl-Talaba (Stars League, Iraq)3121
DEF3Hussein AliPogon Szczecin (Ekstraklasa, Poland)2426
DEF23Merchas DoskiViktoria Plzen (First League, Czechia)2631
DEF5Akam HashimAl-Zawraa (Stars League, Iraq)2713
DEF26Frans PutrosPersib (Super League, Indonesia)3227
DEF25Mustafa SaadoonAl-Shorta (Stars League, Iraq)2516
DEF2Rebin SulakaPort (League 1, Thailand)3455
DEF4Zaid TahseenPakhtakor (Super League, Uzbekistan)2527
DEF15Ahmed YahyaAl-Shorta (Stars League, Iraq)3020
DEF6Manaf YounisAl-Shorta (Stars League, Iraq)2933
MID16Amir Al-AmmariCracovia (Ekstraklasa, Poland)2850
MID7Youssef AmynAEK Larnaca (First Division, Cyprus)2226
MID8Ibrahim BayeshAl-Dhafra (Pro League, UAE)2675
MID21Marko FarjiVenezia (Serie B, Italy)2211
MID14Zidane IqbalFC Utrecht (Eredivisie, Netherlands)2324
MID24Zaid IsmailAl-Talaba (Stars League, Iraq)246
MID17Ali JasimAl-Najma (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)2236
MID11Ahmed QasemNashville SC (MLS, United States)222
MID20Aimar SherSarpsborg (Eliteserien, Norway)236
MID19Kevin YakobAGF (Superliga, Denmark)258
FWD9Ali Al-HamadiIpswich Town (Championship, England)2419
FWD10Mohaned AliDibba (Pro League, UAE)2571
FWD18Aymen HusseinAl-Karma (Stars League, Iraq)3094
FWD13Ali YousifAl-Talaba (Stars League, Iraq)306

Where to watch France vs. Iraq

  • TV channel: FOX
  • Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:

RegionTVStreaming
CanadaTSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDSTSN+, RDS app
UKBBC OneBBC iPlayer
AustraliaSBSSBS On Demand
IndiaUnite8 Sports 1ZEE5
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