Ousmane Dembele scored as France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward added France’s third goal after Kylian Mbappe had marked his 100th cap with a double, turning a weather-disrupted Group I night into another statement for Didier Deschamps’ side.
The match was delayed for around two hours because of storms in Philadelphia, but France still controlled the contest and confirmed progression from the group stage. Dembele’s finish mattered for PSG as much as France because it keeps one of Luis Enrique’s key attacking players prominent on the biggest stage.
Dembele gives PSG another World Cup marker
France’s win was built around Mbappe’s landmark night, but Dembele’s goal ensured PSG also had a direct scoring involvement in a result that sends Les Bleus into the last 32, as FIFA’s match report confirmed.
For PSG supporters, the timing is useful. Dembele entered the tournament carrying major responsibility after a demanding club season, and a World Cup goal should sharpen the sense that he can influence knockout football rather than merely supply moments around the edges.
France still have group positioning to settle, but qualification is already secure. That gives Deschamps room to manage minutes, while PSG will watch closely for how Dembele is used before the knockout phase begins.
