France vs. Iraq: What to Expect in Their World Cup Clash After Senegal Victory
France will face Iraq in their second Group D match at the 2024 FIFA World Cup on Monday, June 17, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, seeking to build momentum after their 3-1 opening win over Senegal. The match kicks off at 21:00 local time (19:00 UTC), with Les Bleus aiming to maintain their perfect record while Iraq look to avoid a second straight defeat.
Why This Match Matters for Both Teams
For France, this is their first World Cup match since their 2022 semifinal loss to Morocco. With a roster featuring 10 players from the Premier League and 8 from Ligue 1, tactical flexibility remains their strength. Meanwhile, Iraq—ranked 79th in FIFA’s latest rankings—enter the tournament as the lowest-ranked team in Group D, seeking to avoid becoming the first team since 1938 to lose all three group matches.
France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal set the tone for their campaign, with Kylian Mbappé’s brace and Aurélien Tchouaméni’s assist showcasing their attacking prowess. However, Senegal’s late equalizer highlighted their resilience, a trait Iraq may exploit if France’s midfield isn’t fully focused.
Match Details: When, Where, and How to Watch
- Date: Monday, June 17, 2024
- Time: 21:00 CEST (19:00 UTC)
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
- Attendance: Expected to be near capacity (~80,000)
- Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
This match marks the first time Iraq has faced France in a World Cup, though they have met in friendlies, most recently in a 2-0 defeat in 2018. The Stade de France, known for its electric atmosphere, will host its first World Cup match since the 2018 final, adding to the pressure on both teams.
3 Tactical Battles That Could Decide the Game
France’s high-pressing game will be key, but Iraq’s physical midfielders—led by Ali Adnan—could disrupt their rhythm. Here’s what to watch:
- Midfield Dominance: France’s midfield trio of Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Enzo Fernández will need to contain Iraq’s two-paced midfielders, Adnan and Amjad Kalaf, who excel in breaking up play. “Iraq’s midfield is built for physical duels,” said a tactical analyst from FIFA’s technical report. “They’ll look to tire France out early.”
- Full-Back Contributions: With William Saliba and Aurélien Tchouaméni often pushing forward, France’s full-backs—Lucas Hernández and Benjamin Pavard—will need to step up defensively. Iraq’s wide forwards, such as Amjad Attwan, are direct and dangerous in one-on-one situations.
- Set-Piece Threat: Iraq’s tall defenders—including Ali Fattah and Ali Adnan—pose a clear aerial threat in set-pieces. France will need Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann to dominate the air, as they did against Senegal.
Injury Updates: Who’s Playing and Who’s Risking It?
France’s starting XI is expected to remain largely unchanged from their Senegal match, though a few key players are monitoring their fitness:
| Player | Position | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Dembélé | RW | 🟢 Available | Returned to training after a minor thigh strain; likely to start. |
| William Saliba | CB | 🟡 Questionable | Minor calf tightness; coach Didier Deschamps will decide at halftime. |
| Randall Kolo Muani | ST | 🟢 Available | Expected to rotate with Mbappé and Giroud. |
Iraq’s squad is fully fit, with no major injuries reported. Their depth lies in their attacking options, including forward Amjad Kalaf, who scored in their 2-0 friendly win over Syria in March.
How France and Iraq Have Fared in Recent World Cups
This is France’s first World Cup appearance since their 2022 semifinal loss to Morocco, while Iraq are making their third consecutive tournament appearance. Here’s how they’ve performed:
| Team | 2022 Record | 2018 Record | 2014 Record | Key Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 4-1 (Semifinalists) | 4-3 (Runners-up) | 3-1 (Round of 16) | Consistent top-four finishes; 2022 was their first exit before the final since 2002. |
| Iraq | DNQ | 0-3 (Group Stage) | 0-3 (Group Stage) | Improving defensively but still vulnerable to counterattacks. |
Iraq’s best World Cup performance came in 2018, when they finished third in their group behind Poland and Senegal. However, they’ve struggled against top-tier opposition, losing all three matches in both 2014 and 2018.
What’s at Stake: How This Match Affects Group D
Group D currently stands as follows (after Senegal’s win over France):
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senegal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 2 | France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Iraq | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A French win would see them top the group, while a draw would leave them tied with Senegal on points but ahead on goal difference. Iraq, meanwhile, must avoid defeat to keep their knockout hopes alive—though their next match against the Netherlands on June 23 will be far more challenging.
How Didier Deschamps and Adnan Hamad Will Approach the Match
France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, is expected to maintain a 4-3-3 formation, with Mbappé and Giroud leading the line. “We need to control the tempo,” Deschamps said in a pre-match press conference. “Iraq will look to counter, so we must stay compact and press high.”
Iraq’s head coach, Adnan Hamad, has emphasized physicality and set-pieces. “We’ll focus on winning the ball in the box and exploiting their defensive transitions,” Hamad told reporters. “France’s midfield is strong, but we can disrupt their rhythm with quick counterattacks.”
One key tactical question: Will France continue to use a back three, as they did against Senegal, or revert to a four-man defense to nullify Iraq’s aerial threat?
What the Fans Are Saying: Social Media Buzz
French fans are already hyped for the match, with trending hashtags like #BleusIrak and #WorldCup2024 dominating social media. Here’s a snapshot of the mood:
🔴🟡🔵 Les Bleus vs l’Irak, c’est demain soir ! Qui sera dans le onze de départ ? #WorldCup2024 #BleusIrak
— Bleus TV (@BleusTV) June 16, 2024
Meanwhile, Iraqi fans are rallying behind their team, with many highlighting their resilience. “We’re underdogs, but we’ve beaten bigger teams before,” said one fan in Baghdad, referencing their 2018 Asian Cup victory over Japan.
What Happens Next: France’s Schedule and Road Ahead
France’s next match is against the Netherlands on June 23 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. A win over Iraq would put them in a strong position to advance, though they’ll need to be cautious against a Dutch side that has already drawn with Senegal.
Iraq’s final group match is also against the Netherlands, meaning their result against France will be crucial. If they lose to France, they’ll need a win against the Netherlands to have any chance of progressing.
The top two teams in Group D will advance to the round of 16, where they could face Argentina, Poland, or Japan—depending on the outcomes of other group matches.
How to Watch and Stay Updated
This match will be broadcast live on:
For real-time updates, follow @FIFA and @FFF on Twitter, or check France’s official World Cup page for official statements.
3 Things to Remember Before Kickoff
- France’s high press and Mbappé’s creativity will be decisive, but Iraq’s physical midfield could disrupt their rhythm.
- A draw would leave France tied with Senegal on points, but their goal difference would keep them top of the group.
- Iraq’s survival hinges on avoiding defeat; a win would be a major upset in World Cup history.
Worth a look
