⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST
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This evening marks an exciting moment for Kylian Mbappé as he leads France onto the pitch. As the squad’s captain, he stands out not only as a key player among an array of talent but also as one of the most significant figures in this tournament for athletes under 38. Just a hat-trick away from breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record, Mbappé has already netted an impressive 14 goals in 15 outings. This places him ahead of Pelé, who scored 12 goals in 14 matches, while Cristiano Ronaldo trails with only eight from 23 appearances.
Mbappé is set to reach a personal milestone tonight in Philadelphia, earning his 100th international cap. The atmosphere brims with anticipation, but winning will require more than just his individual skills. Iraq, seeking to emulate Iran’s unexpected result with a 0-0 draw, faces a significant challenge as they have yet to secure a point in World Cup history. An upset against a powerful team like France seems improbable, although Iraq thrives in challenging circumstances, having navigated through 21 qualifiers to reach this stage—the most of any nation. Their coach, Graham Arnold from Australia, maintains a surprisingly hopeful perspective, even calling this tough group a
