40 Years of Waiting: Iraq Fans Are Taking Over Philadelphia, and France Better Be Ready

Holy smokes, you guys, Philadelphia is absolutely electric! Imagine the 12s hitting the streets of an away city, but with World Cup fever cranked up to 11. That's what's happening right now as thousands, and I mean *thousands*, of soccer fans from Iraq and France have totally swarmed Center City, turning the Philadelphia Museum of Art into a sea of flags, drums, and pure, unadulterated national pride. This ain't just a game, folks, this is a full-blown cultural moment, all kicking off ahead of their massive World Cup showdown Monday evening at Philadelphia Stadium!

Iraq's Forty-Year Grind Just Hit Different in Philly

If you're not paying attention, you need to be. This isn't just another World Cup match for Iraq. We're talking about a historic comeback after four, count 'em, *four* decades away from the world's biggest soccer stage. Can you even fathom that wait? "Iraq hasn't been qualified for the World Cup for the past 40 years so this is a huge thing for them and for us," said Abdullah Ali, who hauled himself all the way from Houston just for this. Fans were everywhere, gathering near City Hall, then marching like a force of nature through Center City straight to the iconic Rocky statue and the Museum of Art steps. Get this: they even stopped outside the hotel where France's national team, Les Bleus, are staying. Yousif Hussein, who made the trek from Memphis, Tennessee, summed it up perfectly, calling it a dream come true. "I've been here since 2012, but it's not every day I get to support my home country and be like hey we're actually going to the World Cup!" Flags waving, drums pounding, chants echoing through the streets, these fans are embracing their underdog status with an optimism that's infectious. And, in a classic Philly move, by Sunday night, Iraqi fans even put a France jersey on the Rocky statue. You gotta love that swagger!

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

French Confidence vs. The Underdog's Grit

Of course, France fans aren't exactly shy, and they showed up in huge numbers too. They packed Lion Sports Bar in Chinatown before hitting the Museum of Art steps later in the evening. There's no shortage of confidence from Les Bleus' faithful. "We can win, we will win. We want to go to the final," declared Benjamin Vermeyl, a France supporter. Some are even predicting a straight-up blowout. Bertrand Vermeyl thinks it'll be "four for France, one for Iraq." But hey, even among the French, there's a dose of realism. One fan wisely cautioned, "We gotta be confident but not too arrogant. I think it should be a win." Meanwhile, Iraqis are dreaming big against the soccer giants. One fan predicted a 2-2 draw, while Anthony Hermiz from Michigan went bolder, saying, "I think Iraq is gonna win 2-0."

So, here we are, on the cusp of a World Cup match that means everything to two incredibly passionate fan bases. You've got Iraq, fueled by four decades of waiting and underdog fire, against a confident French squad with their eyes firmly on the final. What's gonna happen when that first whistle blows on Monday evening? The stakes are sky-high, the energy is through the roof, and the Emerald City is definitely tuning in for this one. Get ready, this is going to be a wild ride!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.