France coach Didier Deschamps watches his team train. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

France is expected to ​make only minor adjustments rather than wholesale changes when ⁠it faces Iraq in its second World Cup Group I match on Monday, with coach Didier Deschamps keen to preserve momentum while edging closer to the ‌knockout stages.

Les Bleus opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal in New York, where Kylian Mbappe scored ‌twice. Another victory in Boston would secure their place in ‌the ⁠last 32.

Deschamps has often favoured stability at major tournaments ⁠and is unlikely to deviate from that approach despite the depth of talent at his disposal.

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France, occasionally vulnerable defensively against Senegal, was in another league after the ​break, and the coach appears ‌reluctant to tamper with the balance of a side which is among the favourites for the title.

The most likely changes are expected on the left flank, with Bradley Barcola set to replace Desire ‌Doue in attack and Lucas Digne in line to come in ​for Theo Hernandez at left back.

Midfield adjustment

Another adjustment could come in midfield.

Deschamps has held lengthy discussions with Manu Koné ⁠in recent days, and the 25-year-old was paired with Adrien Rabiot during training this week, suggesting he could be handed a starting role.

Elsewhere, France ‌is expected to retain the spine that impressed against Senegal, with Mbappe leading an attack that also features Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.

While qualification remains the immediate objective, the match also offers Deschamps an opportunity to test alternatives ahead of the knockout rounds without disrupting the team’s rhythm.

Iraq suffered a 4-1 defeat by Norway in its opening match ‌and needs a positive result to keep its hopes of progressing alive. It ​faces a daunting task against a French side which has reached the last two World Cup finals and appears determined ⁠to avoid early problems in the United States.

Les Bleus, however, will not ⁠be complacent.

“We’ve watched some of the videos from their game against Norway, and I think they have a good team,” centre ‌back William Saliba, who has been managing back pain, told a press conference on Saturday.

“It won’t be easy, even if people think ​that because we’re playing Iraq we’ll automatically get the three points.”

Published on Jun 21, 2026