Iraq face France as storms threaten Philadelphia clash

France tonight, and the storm is real

Iraq face France in Philadelphia on Monday, and it is not just Mbappé they are watching. FIFA has prepared weather disruption measures with storms forecast to hit the area during the match (3). Kickoff is 22:00 UK time (1). Cherki is expected to feature for France (5).

Your team needs something from this game. The opener against Norway did not go to plan.

Norway 4–1 in the opener

Iraq fell hard in their first World Cup match since 1986. Norway won 4–1 at Gillette Stadium in Boston (4). It was a brutal re-entry to the global stage after a 40-year absence. The scoreline does not tell the whole story of a squad that fought through a 28-month qualification campaign, a playoff, and conditions no other team in this tournament has faced. But the table is the table, and Group I is unforgiving.

Hussein carries the hope

Aymen Hussein is the man Iraq look to when it matters. He was the top scorer in World Cup qualifying and scored the decisive goal that ended the 40-year wait (2). The Al-Karma striker is the focal point of Graham Arnold's attack. If Iraq are going to shock France, Hussein will be at the centre of it.

Cherki set for minutes

Rayan Cherki is expected to play a role for France against Iraq (5). The Manchester City attacker gives France another dimension in the final third. Iraq's backline will have to track him closely.

Fan-reaktioner

Fans on Reddit are bracing themselves. The match thread for France vs Iraq shows supporters hoping for damage limitation more than a miracle, though a few are holding onto the chaos factor the storms could bring. Cherki's expected involvement has City fans tuned in.

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