The stage is set at Gillette Stadium. Kylian Mbappe leads France into battle against Iraq, with a simple goal: win and advance. Anything less, and the pressure mounts.
France came to this World Cup as defending champions. They've looked the part in flashes but stumbled against Australia in the opener. That draw — a 2-2 thriller where France coughed up a lead — left them needing results. They got one against Denmark: a gritty 1-0 win. Now, four points in the bag, a draw would likely be enough. But Les Bleus don't do likely. They do dominance. Or they did, once upon a time.
The talk all week has been about Mbappe. He's the tournament's brightest star, the heir to Messi and Ronaldo. Three goals in two games. Electric pace. A swagger that makes defenders nervous. But Iraq isn't here to roll over. They've got one point — a gutsy 0-0 against Denmark — and they know history loves an upset.
France's Balancing Act
Didier Deschamps has a problem most coaches would envy: too much talent. But that talent hasn't always clicked. The midfield, in particular, has looked disjointed. Paul Pogba's absence — out with a knee injury — leaves a creativity void. Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni have been solid but not spectacular. Then there's the defense. Dayot Upamecano and Raphaël Varane formed a shaky partnership against Australia. They tightened up against Denmark, but Iraq's strikers — quick, direct — will test them.
Up front, it's Mbappe's show. But he can't do it alone. Olivier Giroud, the veteran target man, has one goal in the tournament. Antoine Griezmann, floating behind, has been quiet. Deschamps needs them to find rhythm. Fast.
“Iraq will be difficult. They defend deep, they counter. We must be patient and clinical.” — Didier Deschamps
Iraq Believes
Let's not kid ourselves: Iraq is a massive underdog. Ranked outside the top 50, they scraped into the World Cup through Asia's playoffs. But underdog is a label, not a destiny. Their coach, Zeljko Petrovic, has built a team that's hard to break down. Five defenders, two holding midfielders — a bus-park special. Against Denmark, they absorbed pressure for 90 minutes and almost nicked it on the break.
Their danger man is Mohanad Ali, a 5-foot-9 striker with pace and a poacher's instinct. He'll be isolated up front, feeding off scraps. But if France's full-backs push too high — and they will — Ali could spring the offside trap. One chance. One goal. That's the Iraqi dream.
Midfield general Ali Adnan, a veteran of the 2022 campaign, will orchestrate from deep. His set-piece delivery is a weapon. France's aerial vulnerability — Australia scored from a corner — gives Iraq a glimmer.
Prediction and Lineups
France's expected XI: Lloris (c); Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud. Deschamps could swap Dembele for Coman — more direct, less predictable.
Iraq's expected XI: Jalal; Ibrahim, Ali Faez, Natiq, Adnan, Radhi; Kadhim, Bayesh, Hussein; Mohanad Ali, Hamdallah.
Iraq will sit deep. France will dominate possession. The question: can France break down a parked bus? They struggled against Australia's low block early on. But Mbappe's individual brilliance — a burst, a cut, a finish — might be the key.
Score prediction: France 2-0 Iraq. But don't be shocked if it's tighter. Iraq has heart. They have a plan. And they have nothing to lose.
Kickoff is at 4 PM local time. The knockout stage awaits the winner. France expects. Iraq hopes. That's the beauty of the World Cup.
