France returns to Philadelphia for their second group-stage fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, this time facing Iraq in what looks like a straightforward task on paper. After opening with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, Didier Deschamps’ side will be looking to secure their place in the Round of 32 with a match to spare. For Iraq, it is a chance to prove their return to the World Cup stage after 40 years is no accident. Whether you are tuning in from Paris, Baghdad, or anywhere in between, here is everything you need to find the France vs Iraq live stream and watch the action for free.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | France vs Iraq |
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group I |
| Date | Monday, June 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Kickoff | 5:00 p.m. EDT | 10:00 p.m. BST | 11:00 p.m. CEST | 4:00 a.m. AEST (Tue) |
Tournament Context: World Cup Group I
Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings together France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq in what is one of the more intriguing groups of the tournament. France is the heavy favourite to top the section, but Norway, led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, have already shown they mean business with a 4-1 demolition of Iraq in the opening round. Senegal is equally dangerous, making qualification from this group far from automatic for anyone other than Les Bleus.
For Iraq, this is only their second-ever World Cup appearance, having last played on the global stage at Mexico 1986. Their presence alone is a remarkable achievement, secured through a dramatic inter-confederation play-off victory over Bolivia. A competitive showing against France could still have a bearing on how the group finishes.
The full World Cup Group I schedule:
- June 16: France vs Senegal – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (5:00 p.m. ET)
- June 16: Iraq vs Norway – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (5:00 p.m. ET)
- June 22: France vs Iraq – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (5:00 p.m. ET)
- June 22: Norway vs Senegal – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (8:00 p.m. ET)
- June 26: Norway vs France – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (3:00 p.m. ET)
- June 26: Senegal vs Iraq – BMO Field, Toronto (3:00 p.m. ET)
The top two teams from each of the 12 World Cup groups advance to the new Round of 32, with the eight best third-place finishers also progressing. A win here for France would almost certainly guarantee their advancement ahead of the final group game.
France vs Iraq: Predicted Lineups
France Predicted XI
Didier Deschamps is in his third and final World Cup as France head coach, having confirmed he will step down after this tournament. He won the title in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, and this summer represents his last shot at going out on the highest possible note. His preferred shape is a 4-2-3-1, built around defensive solidity and the explosive talent of his attackers.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Mike Maignan | AC Milan |
| RB | Jules Kounde | Barcelona |
| CB | William Saliba | Arsenal |
| CB | Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich |
| LB | Lucas Digne or Theo Hernandez | Aston Villa / AC Milan |
| CM | Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid |
| CM | Adrien Rabiot | AC Milan |
| AM | Rayan Cherki or Michael Olise | Manchester City / Bayern Munich |
| RW | Ousmane Dembele | Paris Saint-Germain |
| LW | Desire Doue | Paris Saint-Germain |
| ST | Kylian Mbappe (c) | Real Madrid |
Iraq Predicted XI
Graham Arnold took charge of Iraq in May 2025 and guided the team through a gruelling qualification campaign, eventually steering them to a play-off win over Bolivia that confirmed their historic return to the World Cup. The former Australia coach favours a disciplined, defensively organized structure that relies on clinical counter-attacks and the physical presence of striker Aymen Hussein.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Jalal Hassan (c) | Al-Zawraa |
| RB | Hussein Ali | Zamalek |
| CB | Zaid Tahseen | Al-Shorta |
| CB | Rebin Sulaka | Ankaragücü |
| LB | Merchas Doski | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| CM | Amir Al-Ammari | Al-Zawraa |
| CM | Zidane Iqbal | Utrecht |
| RW | Ali Jasim | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| AM | Ahmed Qasem | IFK Gothenburg |
| LW | Ali Al-Hamadi | Stoke City |
| ST | Aymen Hussein | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
Tactical Snapshot: What to Expect
France is expected to dominate possession and create chances in volume against a side that lost 4-1 to Norway in their opener. Mbappe, Dembele, and Doue will look to stretch Iraq’s defensive shape, while Tchouameni and Rabiot provide the platform in midfield. The key question for Deschamps is whether to rotate, given the already-secured points from the Senegal win, or to push for a dominant performance.
Iraq’s plan will almost certainly be to stay compact, defend deep, and hit on the counter. Arnold’s side held Spain to a creditable 1-1 draw in a pre-tournament friendly and is not without attacking weapons. Ali Al-Hamadi, the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League, and Aymen Hussein will be tasked with causing problems on the break. Do not expect a high-scoring affair if Iraq execute their game plan, but France has too much individual quality to be held for 90 minutes.
About the Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Lincoln Financial Field, known as Philadelphia Stadium for the duration of the 2026 World Cup in line with FIFA’s commercial naming rules, is the home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and sits in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex alongside Interstate 95. The stadium opened in August 2003, replacing the ageing Veterans Stadium, and is designed to evoke the shape of an eagle, with wing-like canopies over the east and west stands and three open corners that offer views of the Philadelphia skyline. It is one of the more environmentally conscious venues in North American sport, powered in part by solar panels and wind turbines installed around the structure.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium will host six matches in total, including five group-stage games and a Round of 16 fixture on July 4. The tournament seating capacity is approximately 65,800, making it one of the mid-to-larger venues among the 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums. Fans travelling to the game can reach the stadium via the SEPTA Broad Street Line to NRG Station, which sits right beside the gates, or via bus routes 4 and 17. Philadelphia also hosted matches during the 2025 Club World Cup, so the infrastructure is well-tested for large international events.
Where to Watch France vs Iraq Live Stream
France vs Iraq is live on FOX and FOX One in the United States on Monday, June 22, 2026, with kickoff at 5:00 p.m. ET. In the United Kingdom, coverage begins at 10:00 p.m. BST on ITVX, which is free to access online. Here is how to watch online in five simple steps:
- Find your country’s official broadcaster using the table below
- Download the broadcaster’s app (ITVX, SBS On Demand, M6+, etc.)
- Create a free account if required – most free-to-air apps only need an email address
- Navigate to the World Cup section and find France vs Iraq
- Log in 10 to 15 minutes before the 5:00 p.m. EDT kickoff to avoid technical issues
All major broadcaster apps support iOS, Android, smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and desktop browsers.
Best Free Viewing Options: Quick Summary
| Region | Broadcaster | Free? | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | BBC One | ✅ Free | BBC iPlayer |
| USA | FOX (antenna/cable) | ✅ Free (antenna) | Fox Sports app (needs provider) |
| USA | FOX One | 🆓 7-day free trial | foxone.com |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo | ✅ Free (antenna) | Peacock (subscription) |
| Netherlands | NOS | ✅ Free | NOS.nl / NOS app |
| Sweden | SVT / TV4 | ✅ Free (SVT) / 💳 (TV4) | SVT Play / TV4 Play |
| Norway | NRK | ✅ Free | NRK TV app |
| Australia | SBS | ✅ Free | SBS On Demand |
| Ireland | RTÉ | ✅ Free | RTÉ Player |
| Germany | ARD / ZDF | ✅ Free | ARD Mediathek / ZDFmediathek |
| France | TF1 / M6 | ✅ Free | TF1+ / 6play |
| Belgium | VRT / RTBF | ✅ Free | VRT MAX / Auvio |
| Canada | TSN | 💳 Subscription | TSN+ / TSN.ca |
| MENA | beIN Sports | 💳 Subscription | beIN CONNECT app |
| India | Zee5 | 💳 Subscription | zee5.com |
| Global fallback | FIFA+ | Varies | plus.fifa.com |
France vs Iraq is the second match for both sides in the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, and the stakes could not be more different. For France, it is an opportunity to lock up qualification and ease any nerves ahead of the tougher Norway test in the final group game. For Iraq, it is a chance to show the world that their 40-year absence has not diminished their appetite for competition.
Whether you want to watch the France vs Iraq live stream free on ITVX in the UK, via SBS On Demand in Australia, M6+ in France, or on FOX with a free trial in the United States, legal options are widely available. Check the broadcaster table above for your country, get set up in advance, and enjoy what promises to be an intriguing Group I fixture from Philadelphia.
