World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
France and Iraq share Group I at the 2026 World Cup and meet in the group stage. Both sides are fighting to reach the knockouts. On the FIFA ranking, France are the favourite — a 56-place gap.
France - Iraq will be played on Thursday 25th June 2026 at 15:00 ET in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York/New Jersey). ⏳ Date subject to confirmation.
| France 🇫🇷 | Metric | 🇮🇶 Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | FIFA Ranking | #58 |
| Group I | Group | Group I |
| UEFA | Confederation | AFC |
| Didier Deschamps | Head coach | Graham Arnold |
| 16 | WC appearances | 2 |
| World champion (1998, 2018) | Best WC | Group stage (1986) |
France do what France do: reach the last four or better every two years. Since 2018: runners-up, champions, runners-up, semi-finalist at the Euros — a tournament machine that rarely fails. Mbappé is in top form, Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Tchouaméni and Camavinga form the best box-to-box duo in the world. Deschamps' last World Cup as head coach — he wants to leave with gold. The danger zone is Group I: Senegal have Mané and Koulibaly, Norway have Haaland and Ødegaard. No formality. But in the knockouts: a second World Cup title in eight years is realistic.
First World Cup since 1986. Strong growth under Arnold (ex-Australia). In Group I with France and Senegal, advancing is a tall order, but Iraq has a proud football culture and experience in tough conditions.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this group-stage match.
Start predicting →Yes — France and Iraq meet in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup (Group I).
On the FIFA world ranking, France (#2) are favoured over Iraq (#58). The gap is 56 ranking places.
France: World champion (1998, 2018) (16 World Cup appearances). Iraq: Group stage (1986) (2 World Cup appearances).
France are coached by Didier Deschamps. Iraq are coached by Graham Arnold.
France play in Group I. Iraq play in Group I.
Last updated: 2026-06-07