Mbappé starts as France name confirmed XI for World Cup Group I clash with Iraq

France have confirmed their starting XI for Monday’s World Cup Group I match against Iraq, with Kylian Mbappé named to lead the line. The game kicks off on 22 June at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (21:00 UTC). The team news matters because Les Bleus, top of Group I after a 3-1 opening win, can move significantly closer to qualification for the Round of 32 with a win.

Confirmed lineups and formations

Didier Deschamps has set France up in a 4-2-3-1, naming Mike Maignan in goal and a back four of Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Digne. In midfield Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot occupy the double pivot, while Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola support Kylian Mbappé as the central forward.

Iraq line up in the same 4-2-3-1 shape under Graham Arnold. Ahmed Basil starts in goal; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashem and Merchas Doski make up the defence. Amir Al Ammari and Zaid Ismail sit in midfield, with Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal and Ahmed Qasem behind striker Aymen Hussein.

Why it matters

France go into the match buoyed by a 3-1 win over Senegal in their Group I opener, a victory that saw Mbappé score a two-goal brace and play the full 90 minutes. Iraq, by contrast, suffered a 4-1 defeat to Norway and need a response. A positive result for Les Bleus would be a major step toward securing top spot or at least early progression from the group; the confirmed XI shows Deschamps is backing his attacking leaders to get the job done.

Mbappé’s form and milestones

Mbappé’s brace in the opener not only delivered the win but also drew him level with Just Fontaine as France’s all-time World Cup goalscorer, according to the World Soccer Talk report. At 27, the forward has 14 World Cup goals and is tracking the tournament’s all-time leader, Lionel Messi, who has 18. Starting against Iraq gives Mbappé another opportunity to extend that tally on the world stage.

Tactical snapshot: how both teams are likely to approach the game

France’s 4-2-3-1 reflects a preference for controlling midfield with a double pivot and supplying Mbappé from the inside-forward channels and the number 10 zone. With Olise, Dembélé and Barcola supporting, Deschamps has named a pacey, wide-attacking unit to stretch Iraq’s defence. Iraq’s matching 4-2-3-1 suggests they will rely on a compact shape in midfield led by Amir Al Ammari and Zaid Ismail and look to supply Aymen Hussein through the middle.

• Kickoff: 22 June, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (21:00 UTC).
• France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Dembélé, Barcola; Mbappé.
• Iraq (4-2-3-1): Ahmed Basil; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashem, Merchas Doski; Amir Al Ammari, Zaid Ismail; Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal, Ahmed Qasem; Aymen Hussein.
• Mbappé scored a brace and played the full 90 in France’s 3-1 opening win over Senegal.
• Iraq lost 4-1 to Norway in their Group I opener.
• If France win and other results go their way, Les Bleus can take a major step toward topping Group I and booking early progression.

What it means and what happens next

With the XI confirmed, France are signalling they will attack from the first whistle and entrust Mbappé to continue his scoring run. A victory would strengthen their hold on Group I and could mathematically clinch top spot depending on other results. Iraq must find an improved defensive performance and sharper attacking moments if they are to get a positive result and stay in the qualification race.

Full confirmed lineups are now available to fans and media ahead of kick-off at Lincoln Financial Field. The match is one of the key Monday fixtures in Group I, with knockout qualification implications for both sides.