Iraq lineup vs. France: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 clash as ex-Man United youngster starts

Iraq manager Graham Arnold whitethorn see bringing Zidane Iqbal into the starting XI for Monday's World Cup 2026 Group I fixture with France successful Philadelphia.

The erstwhile Manchester United youngster was brought connected successful the 59th infinitesimal of Iraq's 4-1 nonaccomplishment to Norway successful their Group I opener, a effect that near them without a azygous constituent astatine the World Cup Finals since their debut successful 1986.

Now representing Utrecht successful the Netherlands, Iqbal could not single-handedly crook the tide against Norway, but helium completed 2 palmy dribbles and 85% of his passes successful a promising cameo.

As a result, the 23-year-old could endanger Zaid Ismail's spot successful the mediate of the park, helping to supply work to Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein, the second of whom became conscionable the 3rd antheral to people a extremity and an ain extremity successful a World Cup crippled past clip out.

Winger Ali Jasim had to beryllium taken disconnected against Norway owed to a knock, but the 22-year-old has made a swift instrumentality to afloat grooming and is expected to commencement connected the left, with Ibrahim Bayesh operating connected the different flank.

Arnold's backmost 4 is expected to stay unchanged, but section media are reporting that a alteration successful betwixt the sticks could hap aft Jalal Hassan failed to person against Norway.

Instead, the Lions of Mesopotamia could present the much youthful Ahmed Basil, who is six years Hassan's inferior astatine 29 and besides possesses a marginal tallness advantage.

Iraq imaginable starting lineup:

Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Bayesh, Al-Ammari, Iqbal, Ali Jasim; Hussein, Al-Hamadi

> Click present to spot however France could enactment up against Iraq