France's Mental Fortitude Prevails After Weather Delays in World Cup
June 23, 2026 · Clara Ríos
France's World Cup match against Iraq was delayed for two hours due to weather, but they won 3-0 with two goals from Kylian Mbappe.
In a dramatic turn of events, France's World Cup match against Iraq was postponed for two hours owing to adverse weather conditions. The match, which began at 17:00 local time, concluded at 20:47 after heavy rain and thunderstorms forced a delay. France led 1-0 at halftime, but the weather worsened, prompting safety precautions. Once play resumed at 20:00, France secured a 3-0 victory, with Kylian Mbappe netting twice on his 100th international appearance. "It was a very long evening," Mbappe reflected, highlighting the mental and emotional strain. Didier Deschamps humorously noted that the team played cards to pass the time, emphasizing the importance of safety in such circumstances. The match was halted following NOAA guidelines, as lightning was detected near the Philadelphia stadium. Despite the disruption, French players and fans remained resilient, celebrating a significant win that guaranteed their advance to the knockout stages.
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