Kylian Mbappé celebrated his 100th cap for France by scoring two goals, helping the reigning champions advance to the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia.
The Group I opener faced a nearly two-hour interruption due to thunderstorms in the Philadelphia area, causing a lengthy delay before the second half could resume. Despite this disruption, France maintained control and comfortably secured their qualification.
Mbappé struck first in the opening half and then added a second goal after the weather delay, marking his second brace of the tournament. Ousmane Dembélé also contributed by scoring France’s third goal and assisting Mbappé’s second after play restarted.
The French team dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities against a determined but outmatched Iraqi side. This win guarantees France’s progression to the knockout rounds, while Iraq faces a challenging path forward, likely requiring a victory over Senegal along with favorable outcomes in other matches.
The extended stoppage tested the patience of players, officials, and fans, but once the match resumed, France quickly asserted their superiority. Mbappé’s precise finishing reaffirmed his position as one of the world’s elite footballers.
