World Cup 2026: ‘Lions of Mesopotamia’ hope to cause a surprise

Iraq team media coordinator Salam Al-Manaseer stated that doctors thoroughly examined Jasim after the injury he sustained in the opening match against Norway. The results showed that the player’s condition is not a cause for concern. "Tests confirmed the injury is not serious. He is receiving full treatment and medical care," Al-Manaseer said.

Earlier, Ali Jasim experienced neck pain following a strong collision with a Norwegian player. The opponent fell on top of him, forcing the Iraqi winger to leave the field to receive medical attention.

After a heavy 1-4 defeat to Norway in their opening match, Iraq is under immense pressure. The "Lions of Mesopotamia" held a recovery training session in Boston (USA) on June 18 to prepare for their clash with France. Having yet to earn any points, Iraq must aim for a positive result if they want to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the Round of 16. This task is certainly not easy, as their opponent is one of the top contenders for the championship.

On the other side, the French national team enters the match with a very relaxed mentality following their 3-1 victory over Senegal in the opening round. That result puts "Les Bleus" very close to securing a spot in the next stage. Didier Deschamps’ squad aims to complete the task with another win against Iraq to officially qualify for the Round of 16. On paper, this is considered an uneven matchup, which is why the French coaching staff is considering rotating the lineup.

According to Canal+, the French team could make two to three changes to their starting lineup compared to the match against Senegal. Defender Malo Gusto, who had an issue during training on June 17, has shown positive signs of recovery and is likely ready to compete for a starting spot.

Overall, despite being heavily underestimated, Iraq still has a chance if they make good use of their fighting spirit and the return of key players like Ali Jasim. A result that earns them points against France would not only revive the West Asian team’s hopes of advancing but also create one of the biggest surprises of the World Cup 2026 group stage.

However, against a French team with superior squad depth and high form, Iraq will need an almost perfect performance to cause an upset in Philadelphia.