France XI vs Iraq: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup today | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe in sight of World Cup scoring record after brace against Senegal

The Real Madrid star netted a brace as Les Bleus opened their Group I account with a dramatic 3-1 win over Senegal in New Jersey last week.

Those goals took Mbappe to 14 for his career at the World Cup finals, bringing him within two of the all-time record that is now shared by Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi, the latter of whom is in action for Argentina against Austria in Group J in Dallas on Monday.

France will be hoping that star defender William Saliba holds up when they face Iraq in Philadelphia.

The Arsenal centre-back has admitted that he has been playing through pain in order to make this summer’s tournament, where France are hoping to win back the trophy they lost to Argentina in Qatar four years ago.

“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” Saliba said. “I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well.

Record in sight: Kylian Mbappe now sits on 14 World Cup finals goals for his career

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“I’m not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either. You can’t make excuses.”

That will leave France boss Didier Deschamps - and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta - sweating, after the defender’s long campaign that saw him win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final with his club.

Saliba started France’s opener against Senegal alongside Dayot Upamecano, and that should be the case again in the clash with an Iraq team who were beaten 4-1 by Norway.

At full-back, Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez are the first-choice options.

In midfield, Deschamps’ favourite duo of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot should remain unmoved, while ahead of them, it is just a question of who lines up where.

Last time out, it was Desire Doue on the left, with Ousmane Dembele tucked into the No10 position. On the right was Michael Olise, flanking two-goal hero Mbappe.

Time and date: 10pm BST on Monday June 22, 2026

How to watch: BBC