France and Iraq go face off for di second round of group fixtures at di 2026 World Cup, and di two teams get very different goals. For France, di objective na to secure qualification to di knockouts with minimum fuss and effort. A draw go do after dia 3–1 opening round win over Senegal, but a victory—and a comfortable one at dat—na wetin dem expect.
Iraq, on di oda hand, know say extending dia stay to a fourth game na very unlikely. But Graham Arnold’s men fit still take one of di tournament’s biggest scalps. Cabo Verde set di template with dia stubborn defending to force a shock goalless draw wit European champion Spain. Iraq, wey impress for moments in dia 4–1 defeat to Norway, get two more chances to cause an upset for di ages.
France, wey just banish dia ghosts of Senegal, go dey desperate not to be di fall guy for anoda World Cup underdog story. After feeling di full force of Erling Haaland for dia first World Cup match in 40 years, tins no dey easier for Iraq. Graham Arnold’s side no embarrass demselves against Norway; dem compete and dey tactically savvy for much of di game. But France represent anoda level up in terms of quality. If Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé and France’s litany of elite forward players turn am on, tins fit get very difficult for Iraq.
William Saliba’s admission say he don “grit his teeth” and play through pain of injury niggles don sound alarm bells for France. However, di Arsenal man still dey expected to start dis one. Di sensational Michael Olise fit move into a central role from di start, pushing Ousmane Dembélé out wide, and Bradley Barcola dey in line to start after im superb cameo from di bench against Senegal—Désiré Doué go make way if he do.
Adrien Rabiot fit get a new partner for di heart of midfield, with Manu Koné possibly coming in for Aurelien Tchouaméni, and Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne fit start at left back. France predicted lineup vs. Iraq (4–2–3–1): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé.
Ali Jasim look like im don overcome di injury wey force am off before di end of Iraq’s defeat to Norway, having train all week. Di expectation na say he go dey good to go from di start, but Ahmed Qasem dey stand by in case. Local media reports suggest 35-year-old veteran goalkeeper Jalal Hassan fit replace between di sticks by Ahmed Basil. Iraq predicted lineup vs. France (4–4–2): Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Bayesh, Iqbal, Al-Ammari; Hussein, Al Hamadi.
