Iraq and France Fans Flood Philadelphia Ahead of Historic World Cup Clash

Thousands of soccer fans from Iraq and France converged on Philadelphia's streets and landmarks Sunday, one day before their teams' pivotal World Cup matchup at Philadelphia Stadium. The tournament marks a historic moment for Iraqi football, as the national team returns to the world's biggest stage for the first time in 40 years.

Iraqi supporters gathered near City Hall before marching through Center City to the Rocky statue and the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, carrying flags, beating drums, and chanting. Along the way, they stopped outside the hotel housing the French national team, Les Bleus. Fans who traveled from across the United States, including from Houston, Memphis, and Michigan, expressed deep emotion at being able to support their home country on such a grand stage. "I've been here since 2012, but it's not every day I get to support my home country and be like, hey, we're actually going to the World Cup!" said Yousif Hussein, a fan from Memphis.

French supporters also turned out in large numbers, gathering at Lion Sports Bar in Chinatown before heading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps later in the evening. Many were confident about their team's chances. "We can win, we will win. We want to go to the final," said Benjamin Vermeyl. Some predicted a lopsided scoreline, with Bertrand Vermeyl forecasting "four for France, one for Iraq." Others urged caution, saying, "We gotta be confident but not too arrogant."

Iraqi fans embraced their underdog status while remaining optimistic about the outcome, with predictions ranging from a 2-2 draw to an outright victory for Iraq. By Sunday night, Iraqi fans added their own touch to Philadelphia sports lore by placing a France jersey on the Rocky statue.

Adding to the intrigue of Monday's match is the expected involvement of Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki for France. The 22-year-old creative talent, listed among Manchester City's 19 players participating in the 2026 World Cup, is due to be part of France's group-stage programme. Cherki's technical ability makes him a potential game-changer, and his inclusion gives City supporters an extra reason to follow the match. A sharp performance could deepen excitement around what he can bring back to Manchester.

The match between France and Iraq kicks off Monday at 5 p.m. local time (22:00 UK time) at Philadelphia Stadium. Iraq will aim to defy expectations, while France looks to build momentum in Group I ahead of their final group-stage game against Norway in Boston on 26 June.