France vs Iraq: FIFA 2026 Preview, Odds & Best Bets

France return to World Cup action on 22 June in Group I Matchday 2, riding the momentum of a commanding 3-1 win over Senegal. Iraq, back at the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, arrive having lost 4-1 to Norway but with their striker Aymen Hussein already etched into history. We are backing Les Bleus to go again, but this is a match worth understanding deeply before placing a single chip.

The France Perspective

There is a particular electricity around this France squad right now. Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer in the opener against Senegal, netting twice to move to 58 international goals. Didier Deschamps is coaching his farewell tournament after years of delivering at the highest level, and the expectation at home is nothing less than a deep run. A second consecutive group win would all but seal France's progress and send a message to the rest of the field. For French supporters, this is not a match to overthink. It is a match to win convincingly and build rhythm.

France vs Iraq Match Preview

France currently sit level on points with group leaders Norway, both having won their openers. Iraq lost 4-1 to Norway and are searching for their first point on their World Cup return after a 40-year absence, their last appearance being Mexico 1986. Under the expanded 48-team format, the top two plus the best third-placed sides advance, which means Iraq's campaign is not mathematically over. Iraq captain and striker Aymen Hussein has publicly insisted there is "very little between the teams" and that his side is targeting a top-three finish in the group.

France are expected to control possession and press Iraq high, with Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele providing the cutting edge. Deschamps showed tactical flexibility against Senegal, switching Dembele and Michael Olise's positions at half-time to unlock the game. Iraq will look to channel the ball to Hussein early and exploit any defensive lapses from set pieces and crosses, where his team-mates describe him as "a beast" who is hard to keep out.

France Form

France qualified for this tournament unbeaten from UEFA Group D, scoring 16 goals and conceding just four. Their opening World Cup win over Senegal showed both their individual brilliance and their capacity to adapt. Mbappe's brace took his World Cup tally to 14 goals, leaving him two behind Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16. Bradley Barcola also got on the scoresheet, underlining the depth of attacking options available to Deschamps.

Dembele, the reigning Best FIFA Men's Player and a back-to-back Champions League winner with PSG, is a constant threat in behind but has played 11 World Cup games without scoring. That statistic could cut both ways: the pressure is building, but so is the due return. The probable XI that dismantled Senegal reads: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise; Mbappe, Dembele, Doue.

Iraq Form

Graham Arnold's side made history simply by being here, ending a 40-year World Cup absence. Against Norway they showed genuine spirit. Hussein scored Iraq's first World Cup goal in four decades with a 39th-minute header, only to later turn the ball into his own net as Norway ran out 4-1 winners. Midfielder Amir Al Ammari, who assisted Hussein's goal, has spoken about how facing elite players like Mbappe raises the squad's collective level, urging the group to take it "game by game."

Iraq's probable XI from the Norway match: Hassan; Ali, Younis, Hashem, Doski; Farji, Al Ammari, Sher, Bayesh; Hussein, Al Hamadi. The threat is real if Iraq can get quality service into Hussein inside the box. France's defensive unit will need to be switched on from the first whistle.

France vs Iraq Odds

Odds are correct at time of writing. If you want to bet on this match with crypto, Dexsport covers the full FIFA 2026 Group I market with a range of match and player prop options.

France vs Iraq Predictions

Best Bet: France to Win (1.22)
The implied probability sits at 82%. France beat a strong Senegal side 3-1 in their opener, Mbappe is in record-breaking form, and Iraq are coming off a 4-1 defeat. The price is short, but the rationale is solid rather than wishful. France are the right side to back here.

Value Bet: Both Teams to Score Yes
Iraq proved against Norway that they can find the net at this level. Hussein scored with a header and his team-mates have highlighted his ability to punish defenders in the box if given crosses. France's defence, while strong, conceded against Senegal. BTTS Yes carries genuine merit and typically offers a better return than the France win alone.

Longshot Bet: Iraq to Score First (13.00 Iraq Win for context)
Hussein scored in the 39th minute against Norway and is described by his own squad as near-unstoppable when served the right ball. France can be slow to settle, as they showed against Senegal before clicking into gear after half-time. Iraq scoring early is a low-probability outcome, but Hussein's pedigree and France's slow starts make it the most defensible longshot available from the research.

Why This Match Matters

A France win would put them in an extremely strong position to top Group I ahead of the final matchday. Norway lead the group on goal difference, having beaten Iraq 4-1, so France need a convincing performance to apply pressure at the summit. For Iraq, a point or an unlikely win would breathe life into their campaign. Hussein has already stated the group is "very wide open" and that a top-three finish remains the goal. With the expanded format offering a lifeline to the best third-placed sides, Iraq cannot afford to be passive. Every goal, every point, counts.

Best Bets and Markets Worth Watching

Beyond the match winner, the most compelling markets centre on goals and individual players. Mbappe is chasing Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals and is just two away. An anytime scorer bet on Mbappe carries obvious appeal given his two goals against Senegal. Dembele, goalless in 11 World Cup appearances, is another market to watch if his price is generous. On the Iraq side, Hussein is the only realistic threat as a first or anytime scorer. Over 2.5 goals deserves attention given France's attacking output and Iraq's vulnerability from the Norway game. Correct score markets are available but carry high variance; qualitative form rather than any scoreline probability should guide your thinking here.

Popular Betting Options

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Betting Tips

• Back France to Win: The implied probability is 82% at 1.22. Short odds, clear rationale backed by form and squad quality.
• BTTS Yes: Iraq showed they can score at this level. Hussein is a genuine aerial threat and France conceded in their opener.
• Mbappe Anytime Scorer: Two goals in the opener, chasing a historic record, and motivated to perform in Deschamps' farewell tournament.
• Avoid Iraq Win at 13.00 unless small stake: The implied probability is just 8%. Iraq's heart is undeniable, but the quality gap shown against Norway is hard to ignore.
• Watch the Dembele market: Eleven World Cup games without a goal is a streak that must end eventually. If the price is right, it is worth a small play.

Odds subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only. Visit BeGambleAware.org for support.

FAQ

What does this match mean for France?
A second consecutive Group I win would put France in a commanding position to advance from the group stage and would maintain pressure on Norway at the top of the standings. It is also a chance for Mbappe to close in further on Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.

Is France favoured in this match?
Yes. The bookmaker-implied probability for a France win is 82% at odds of 1.22, making them heavy favourites based on available market data.

What is a realistic expectation for France supporters?
A comfortable win is the expectation, but France supporters should be aware that Iraq have already shown they can score at this level. Hussein's header against Norway demonstrated a genuine aerial threat. A clean sheet is not guaranteed, but a France victory is the most likely outcome by a significant margin.

Which Iraq threat should France fans be most wary of?
Aymen Hussein. The veteran striker scored Iraq's first World Cup goal in 40 years against Norway and is described by his own team-mates as "a beast" in the box when supplied with crosses. France's centre-backs will need to be disciplined at set pieces and alert to his movement throughout.