Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki is due to be part of France’s World Cup schedule tonight as Didier Deschamps’ side face Iraq in Philadelphia. The Group I fixture is listed for Monday, 22 June at 22:00 UK time, putting one of City’s most intriguing creative players back into tournament focus.
Cherki was named by Manchester City among the 19 current City players involved at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the club’s official guide placing him in France’s group-stage programme alongside matches against Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
Cherki gives City supporters another reason to watch France
For City supporters, the interest is obvious. Cherki’s technical profile makes him one of the players most capable of changing the rhythm of a game, even if France’s attacking depth means every minute has to be earned.
The official City guide lists France v Iraq at Philadelphia on Monday night, with Rayan Cherki included in Manchester City’s World Cup fixture rundown. That gives the match a clear Etihad angle before attention turns to France’s final group game against Norway in Boston on 26 June.
Cherki’s involvement also matters because City’s summer is being shaped by international minutes as much as transfer noise. A sharp World Cup cameo or start would only deepen the excitement around what he can bring back to Manchester.
