Group I positioning is on the line Monday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
France vs Iraq headlines the World Cup 2026 schedule on June 22, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. ET in a Group I clash carrying serious knockout-stage implications for the Iraqi side.
France opened with a controlled 3-1 victory over Senegal, with Kylian Mbappe leading a front line that generated eight shots on target and coasted through the second half.
Iraq arrive having absorbed a 4-1 shellacking from Norway in their opener, leaving them with zero points and a defense that has already been publicly exposed at this level.
Here is a breakdown of the top France picks, World Cup betting angles, and France moneyline value using BetOnline odds for this one-sided affair.
New York Post France vs Iraq Best Bets Summary
- Kylian Mbappe Anytime Goalscorer – -313
- France Moneyline – -1000
- Over 3.5 Goals – +100
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New York Post France vs Iraq Prediction: Kylian Mbappe Anytime Goalscorer (-313)
Kylian Mbappe is France’s focal point in every attacking sequence Didier Deschamps constructs, and Iraq’s defensive structure is exactly the type he dismantles on a routine basis at club and international level.
Norway exposed Iraq by allowing 11 shots inside their own box in a single match – a figure that tells you everything about how compact and organized this backline is not.
Mbappe operates in precisely those half-spaces between the lines where Iraq’s center-backs were carved apart repeatedly against Norway.
He scored against Senegal in Matchday 1 and is firmly in the conversation for the Golden Boot race entering this fixture.
Check out France vs Iraq player props and same-game parlay predictions for additional prop angles worth targeting alongside this pick.
New York Post France vs Iraq Prediction: France Moneyline (-1000)
France’s 3-1 win over Senegal undersold the attacking ceiling on display – eight shots on target, a tactical adjustment moving Michael Olise centrally, and an entirely controlled second half that could have finished with a larger margin.
Iraq’s Matchday 1 result was not a fluke. Norway found space early, scored four times, and Iraq had no answer for sustained pressure from a side that France’s attacking depth surpasses considerably.
Deschamps has managed France since 2012 and has always leaned on his defensive structure as the foundation, knowing one or two moments from his front line close out matches.
The France moneyline at -1000 on BetOnline reflects reality accurately here.
New York Post France vs Iraq Prediction: Over 3.5 Total Goals (+100)
France produced four goals across both halves in their opener, and Iraq’s match against Norway ended 4-1 – two Matchday 1 results that combined for nine total goals and set a clear template for what to expect from this fixture.
Iraq cannot afford to park and absorb for 90 minutes with their World Cup 2026 survival already under serious threat.
That means they will push forward at some point, which is precisely the stretched defensive shape that Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue punish on the counter.
France also has a massive showdown with Norway on deck that will decide who tops Group I, giving Deschamps every incentive to rotate and rest players once a lead is established – but the goals will come early and fast before any conservative management kicks in.
The over 3.5 goals line at +100 on BetOnline is the clearest value on the board for this fixture. For a full odds comparison on this match, see France vs Iraq odds and sportsbook promos.
Final Score Prediction: France 4, Iraq 0
France vs Iraq Odds
- France Win – -1000
- Draw – +950
- Iraq Win – +3000
- Kylian Mbappe Anytime Goalscorer – -313
- Over 3.5 Goals – +100
Odds courtesy of BetOnline.
How to Watch France vs Iraq
- Date – Monday, June 22, 2026
- Kickoff – 5 p.m. ET
- Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
- TV – FOX
