World Cup official line-ups: France vs Iraq, Maignan, Rabiot and Kone start

The France squad has plenty of Serie A talent including Manu Kone, Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot as they take on Iraq, but there are thunderstorm warnings in Philadelphia.

It kicks off at the Philadelphia Stadium at 22.00 UK time (23.00 CEST, 17.00 local time) in Group I.

Les Bleus defeated Senegal 3-1 in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup, despite a poor first half performance, with a Kylian Mbappé brace and Bradley Barcola counter-attack.

That goal was assisted by Milan midfielder Rabiot, who again starts this evening with his club teammate Maignan in goal.

However, this time he is partnered by Roma’s Manu Koné rather than Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park.

Inter striker Marcus Thuram is on the bench and still waiting for his first minutes of this World Cup.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 17: Mike Maignan of France gestures during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and France at San Siro on November 17, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Iraq were on the end of a 4-1 thrashing by Norway in their first fixture of the tournament, even though Aymen Hussein had scored a temporary equaliser.

There are concerns that kick-off might be delayed this evening because of severe thunderstorm warnings in the Philadelphia area.

This is one of the problems with having the USA, Canada and Mexico hosting the World Cup during the height of lightning season.

There has even been a warning from the stadium organisers that gate opening will be delayed, urging fans not to travel to the stadium at this time.

Rules were put in place that if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium, the match will be put on pause for 30 minutes so fans and players can be escorted to shelter.

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 23: Adrian Rabiot of France looks on before the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Croatia and France at Stade de France on March 23, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

France vs Iraq line-ups

France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Barcola; Mbappé

Iraq: Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashim, Doski; Iqbal, Al Ammari, Zaid Ismael, Bayesh; Qasem, Hussein

22-06-2026 22:00 Matchday 2 Lincoln Financial Field France Iraq vs

Season Analytics

France Positions Iraq SEASON TOTALFRA HOME100100Last matches 16-06-2026 Senegal W 3 - 1 16-06-2026 Senegal W 3 - 1 SEASON TOTALIRQ AWAY000001Last matches 1 - 4 L Norway 16-06-2026 France Iraq

Starting lineups

16 Mike Maignan Goalkeeper 4 Dayot Upamecano Defender 5 Jules Koundé Defender 3 Lucas Digne Defender 17 William Saliba Defender 14 Adrien Rabiot Midfielder 6 Manu Koné Midfielder 11 Michael Olise Midfielder 12 Bradley Barcola Attacker 10 Kylian Mbappé Attacker 7 Ousmane Dembélé Attacker 22 Ahmed Basil Fadhil Goalkeeper 5 Akam Hashem Defender 3 Hussein Ali Defender 23 Merchas Doski Defender 4 Zaid Tahseen Defender 16 Amir Al-Ammari Midfielder 15 Zaid Ismail Midfielder 14 Zidane Iqbal Midfielder 11 Ahmed Qasem Attacker 18 Aymen Hussein Attacker 8 Ibrahim Bayesh Attacker

Substitutes

19 Theo Hernández Defender 13 N’Golo Kanté Midfielder 15 Ibrahima Konaté Defender 21 Lucas Hernández Defender 24 Rayan Cherki Attacker 2 Malo Gusto Defender 8 Aurélien Tchouaméni Midfielder 25 Maghnes Akliouche Midfielder 9 Marcus Thuram Attacker 20 Désiré Doué Midfielder 18 Warren Zaïre-Emery Midfielder 1 Brice Samba Goalkeeper 22 Jean-Philippe Mateta Attacker 26 Maxence Lacroix Defender 23 Robin Risser Goalkeeper 20 Aimar Sher Midfielder 17 Ali Jasim Attacker 10 Mohanad Ali Attacker 2 Rebin Sulaka Defender 6 Frans Dhia Putros Defender 7 Youssef Amyn Attacker 9 Ali Al-Hamadi Attacker 1 Fahad Talib Goalkeeper 12 Jalal Hassan Goalkeeper 21 Mustafa Saadoon Defender 21 Marko Farji Attacker 6 Manaf Younis Defender 13 Ali Yousif Attacker 19 Kevin Yakob Midfielder 15 Ahmed Maknzi Defender