FIFA World Cup: France vs Iraq 22/06/2026

Asian Handicap Betting

France looked completely out of sorts during the first half of their opening match against Senegal and were fortunate to go into the break with the score still at 0-0. As the second half progressed, however, they gradually found their rhythm. While the performance was far from spectacular, the sheer quality within the squad eventually made the difference and led them to a comfortable 3-1 victory.

The disappointing first-half display should serve as a wake-up call and, with a crucial group-stage clash against Norway still to come, France are expected to push for a convincing win against an Iraq side that is clearly several levels below them in terms of quality. Iraq will probably not approach this match as openly as they did against Norway. A more defensive setup could make life slightly more difficult for the French, but if the reigning world champions struggle seriously against Iraq, then talk of winning the tournament would be premature.

My only concern regarding this bet is the weather forecast. Meteorologists have missed the mark in several matches where severe weather warnings were issued, but this time there appears to be a genuine risk of thunderstorms. Under tournament protocol, lightning detected within a 13-kilometer radius can lead to a suspension of play, which is always something to consider. Even so, the gap in quality between these two teams remains enormous.

For that reason, I am backing France on the Asian Handicap at -2.5.