France can secure advancement to the knockout stages with a win over Iraq in Philadelphia.
William Saliba expects a tough game when France face Iraq in Philadelphia tonight. Les Bleus, the 2018 world champion and finalist in 2022, started the tournament impressively with a 3-1 win over Senegal – a performance that got better and better as the match progressed.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Michael Olise controlled the midfield in the second half as Didier Deschamps’ men secured a winning start in Group I.
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Iraq opened with a 4-1 loss to Norway – a result that underlines their status as the weakest team in the group.
France are heavy favourites to beat Graham Arnold’s men, but Arsenal centre-back Saliba expects a difficult game against a team that had to go through qualifying to reach the championship.
“We’ve seen some videos from their game against Norway, and I think they have a good team,” he said.
“It won’t be easy, even if people think that we automatically get three points because we play against Iraq.
Saliba has been struggling with a back injury but is expected to keep his place in the middle of France’s defence.
“I’ve had some minor ailments for several months. I’ve gritted my teeth because it was the Champions League and the Premier League,” he added.
“But the coaching staff handles it very well.
“The World Cup only comes once every four years, so you have to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100%, but there are a lot of players who aren’t at 100% either – you can’t make excuses.
Team news for France vs Iraq
France can make three changes. Bradley Barcola, who also scored against Senegal, is expected to replace PSG teammate Désiré Doué, while Lucas Digne comes in at left-back at the expense of Theo Hernández. Aurélien Tchouaméni could be benched, with Manu Koné starting alongside Adrien Rabiot in midfield.
Iraqi goalkeeper Jamal Hassan is probably looking for a weak game against Norway, and Ahmed Basil is expected to get his place in the starting eleven.
Predicted starting line-ups
France (4-2-3-1):
Maignan – Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne – Rabiot, Koné – Dembélé, Olise, Barcola – Mbappé
Iraq (4-3-3):
Basil – Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski – Bayesh, Al-Ammari, Iqbal – Ali Jasim, Hussein, Al-Hamadi
Key figures before the match
- France have won 10 of their last 12 matches.
- France have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last six games.
- Iraq have not won any of their last three games.
- Aymen Hussein’s goal and own goal against Norway made him the third player to score at both ends in a World Cup match.
Our Prediction
France will have too much for Iraq, who will fight hard but ultimately lack the quality to threaten Les Bleus.
Expect Olise and Mbappé to cause chaos.
Prediction: France 4-0 Iraq
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