France vs Iraq: prediction & betting odds 22 June 2026

Form and Line-up France

France, as most expected, beat Senegal, but left a mixed impression with their performance. Before the break, the World Cup runners-up had only one off-target shot, while their xG was a tiny 0.03. Senegal even had 0.43. All the action came in the second half, when the team twice led by two goals, the last time decisively at 3:1. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, cooling the Africans off right at the end after they had sensed a draw following Ibrahim Mbaye's goal in the 95th minute.

Didier Deschamps' team played in energy-saving mode, and he brought on only two substitutes from the bench. True, one of them scored the winning goal - Bradley Barcola. Mike Maignan could have made the save for the goal, so he received the lowest rating in the team.

Key numbers:

• Kylian Mbappe has scored five goals in his last two World Cup matches.

• In their last five World Cup games, France have averaged 2.6 goals.

• All of the French side's last 10 matches have finished with Over 2.5 goals landing. At the same time, they have lost only once.

• Both teams have scored in six recent games involving Deschamps' side.

Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan - Theo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Kounde - Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni - Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise - Kylian Mbappe.

Form and Line-up Iraq

Just as France could have had a goal difference of only (+1), Iraq could have escaped with only (-2) after the first round, but conceded a fourth goal to the Norwegians in the final seconds of added time. This time the Lions of Mesopotamia goalkeeper made the mistake, while before that it had been the outfield players. Haaland's second goal was the direct result of a careless pass from a defender back to the goalkeeper. At least they scored their second goal at World Cups. The first came back in their debut tournament in 1986. It is worth noting that Graham Arnold's team produced almost all their attacking activity in the first half, especially in the final 10 minutes: 0.74 xG out of 0.80 and nine shots out of 11.

Key numbers:

• This year, Iraq have scored in four of their five matches.

• When the Iraqis have conceded in 2026, they have always done so in the first half.

• At least three yellow cards have been shown in four of the Lions of Mesopotamia's last five matches.

Probable line-up (4-4-2): Jalal Hassan - Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Ali Adnan Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski - Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari, Zaid Ismail, Ahmed Qasem - Ali Al-Hamadi, Aymen Hussein.

Who will referee the match 

Drew Fischer (Canada) 

Matches – 6 (International matches, 2025 - 2026);

Average fouls per match – 30;

Average yellow/red cards per match (including second yellows) – 3,8;

Matches with a straight red card – 1 out of 6;

Matches with a penalty – 3 out of 6.