Mbappé Chases Klose's Record · Iraq's First WC in 40 Years · Zidane Iqbal · Philadelphia
France are one of the tournament favourites and arrive in Philadelphia with arguably the deepest squad in world football. Didier Deschamps — the most successful French manager in history — has 26 players of exceptional quality at his disposal, and the question is not whether they will beat Iraq, but how convincingly and how efficiently Mbappe reaches goals that matter.
Kylian Mbappe leads Les Bleus as captain at his third World Cup finals. With 12 World Cup goals already, he is four away from equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16. Against Iraq's limited defensive resources, this is the match where Mbappe can accumulate numbers. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) and Rayan Cherki (Man City) provide the attacking depth. Maignan in goal, Saliba and Upamecano in defence, Tchouameni in midfield — France are built like a machine. Deschamps hasn't been asked to be particularly creative. He's been asked to win.
Iraq are back at a World Cup for the first time in 40 years, having last appeared in Mexico 1986. The Lions of Mesopotamia qualified through the intercontinental playoff route — defeating Bolivia in a playoff that sent the country into celebration. Graham Arnold, the Australian coach who led the Socceroos at Qatar 2022, took over Iraq's national team and guided this remarkable qualification campaign.
The name on everyone's lips: Zidane Iqbal, the midfielder who began his career at Manchester United before moving to Utrecht in the Eredivisie. His name alone guarantees a certain kind of attention — but he is a genuine player, technically comfortable and competitive at European level. Aymen Hussein leads the attack. Iraq know they are facing the toughest possible group — France, Senegal, and Norway — but the achievement of being here at all is generational for Iraqi football.