Iraq faces France in World Cup group stage after Norway defeat

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq will meet France on the 12th day of the 2026 World Cup in a Group C match that kicks off late Wednesday, the team’s second fixture after a 4-1 loss to Norway left it at the bottom of the standings. The matchup marks Iraq’s return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1986, when it lost all three group games. Iraq reached the tournament through a two-stage qualifying campaign, sealing its playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia. France opened its campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, with goals and performances from Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise. Group C is led by Norway on goal difference, followed by France, Senegal and Iraq, with Norway and Senegal set to play the other match on the same day. In Group G, defending champion Argentina faces Austria at 8 p.m., aiming to clinch early qualification to the knockout stage under Lionel Messi after opening the tournament with a win over Algeria. Elsewhere, Tunisia was eliminated following a heavy defeat to Japan, while Curacao drew with Ecuador to earn its first-ever World Cup point.