France delivered a statement opening Group I performance, dismantling a disciplined but outclassed Iraq side 4-0 at a sold-out Lincoln Financial Field. Didier Deschamps deployed his most attack-minded XI in years — a fluid 4-3-3 with Mbappé through the middle flanked by Dembélé and Olise — and the system clicked almost immediately. Iraq, coached to sit in a compact 5-4-1 and frustrate, simply lacked the defensive athleticism to cope with France's pace in behind. Mbappé's opener on 14 minutes was a thing of beauty: Dembélé received from Tchouaméni, drove at the Iraqi right channel, and cut back for Mbappé to arrow a first-time finish into the far corner. Iraq's best spell came between the 20th and 30th minutes when they pressed higher and won a few second balls, but Zaid Tahseen's yellow card on 28 minutes for a cynical foul on Olise ended that experiment. Thuram's header from Théo Hernandez's whipped cross on 34 minutes effectively killed the contest before half-time. The second half was a procession: Akam Hashim brought down Dembélé in the box on 60 minutes and Mbappé converted calmly from the spot. Deschamps rang the changes — Barcola and Cherki introduced to keep legs fresh — and Olise capped a fine display with a composed finish after Barcola's driving run on 78 minutes. Iraq's lone moment of danger came when Ali Al-Hamadi forced Samba into a routine low save on 55 minutes. France top Group I on goal difference from the first whistle.

• Mbappé registered 2 goals and 1 key chance created — his best World Cup performance since 2018
• France's xG of 3.82 was the highest recorded in Group I matchday 1
• Iraq managed just 4 shots all game — their lowest in a competitive fixture in 4 years
• Théo Hernandez completed 6 progressive carries from left-back, unlocking Iraq's right flank repeatedly
• Olise's 78th-minute finish was the 4th time France scored from a counter-press sequence in the match
• Iraq's defensive block held for 14 minutes before Mbappé's opener shattered their structure