France dismissed Senegal 3-1, Iraq were on the end of a 4-1 loss against Norway on matchday one
There was just one yellow card across the Group I opening games
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France took their time in getting going but skipper Kylian Mbappe eventually proved the catalyst for a 3-1 win over Senegal in New Jersey.
Iraq were back on the World Cup stage after four decades away and were duly hit for four goals against a hungry Norwegian side in Foxborough.
Things are not about to get any easier for Graham Arnold's side as they stare down the tournament favourites in Philadelphia.
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Team news
France have not reported any injury concerns after their win over Senegal, so Didier Deschamps appears to have a full deck to choose from.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola came off the bench to score in that contest and may justify inclusion from the start. Desire Doue could be rotated, with Rayan Cherki another eager to get minutes.
Midfielders Amir Al-Ammari and Ibrahim Bayesh are tasked with securing a share of possession for Iraq against this hugely talented French side, while striker Aymen Hussein headed home a terrific leveller against Norway, his second in four games and 34th international goal.
Ali Jasim went off with a knock against Norway, with defender Ahmed Yahya the only player ruled out of that contest.
The stats
Kylian Mbappe's brace against Senegal made him France's record scorer, with 58 strikes in just 99 games.
The Real Madrid forward has 14 at the World Cup – three behind the record of 17 jointly held by Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose.
Both teams have scored in each of France's last six games, with Azerbaijan, Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland all breaching their defence.
Les Bleus have scored two or more goals in 14 of their last 16 games.
Iraq have scored in eight of their previous 11 games, including a 1-1 draw with Spain earlier this month.
Iraq have earned just seven yellow cards in their previous seven games, France have gone three games without a caution.
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Prediction
France were lacklustre in the opening half before eventually scoring three times in the second half to see off the challenge of Senegal, with Mbappe's record-breaking double the big story.
In the end it was a competent start, more than a confident showing from Deschamps' star-studded side.
Iraq were brave against Norway and enjoyed a big moment when levelling the game in the first half, but they could not deal with Erling Haaland and appeared to tire as the game went on.
There are even more threats looming in this French side, with Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele eager to kickstart their tournaments and the likes of Barcola and Cherki as well as Marcus Thuram in reserve.
A free-scoring French win is likely, but a high card count looks a lot less so.
France have gone three games without a booking, while Iraq were quite disciplined against Norway and have picked up just seven bookings in their last seven games.
The French only committed five fouls in their opener and this game is unlikely to have the referee flashing his cards.
Score prediction: France 4-0 Iraq
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