France is expected to make only slight adjustments to their starting lineup as they prepare to face Iraq in their second Group I match of the World Cup on Monday. Following a 3-1 victory over Senegal in New York, a win in Boston would secure France’s place in the knockout stages, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to favor continuity over major changes.

Deschamps, known for prioritizing stability at major tournaments, is unlikely to overhaul the squad despite the extensive talent at his disposal. While France showed occasional defensive lapses against Senegal, their overall performance, especially after halftime, reaffirmed their status as one of the tournament favorites. The coach’s likely modifications include changes on the left side of the pitch, with Bradley Barcola set to replace Desire Doue in attack and Lucas Digne expected to take the left-back position over Theo Hernandez.

In midfield, further tweaks may be introduced. Deschamps has engaged in detailed discussions with 25-year-old Manu Kone, who has been working alongside Adrien Rabiot in recent training sessions, signaling a potential starting role. The core structure of the team, however, remains steady, with Kylian Mbappe spearheading the attack alongside Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.

While securing qualification is the immediate goal, the upcoming match also provides Deschamps with an opportunity to test alternative options without disrupting the team’s momentum ahead of the knockout rounds.

Iraq enters Monday’s match on the back of a 4-1 defeat to Norway in their opening game and faces a challenging task to keep their hopes of advancing alive. Although France are heavy favorites, they are not underestimating their opponents. Centre back William Saliba, who has been managing back pain throughout the tournament, emphasized the need for vigilance ahead of the contest. “We’ve watched some of the videos from their game against Norway and I think they have a good team,” Saliba said at 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.”

France, having reached the last two World Cup finals, appear determined to maintain their strong start and avoid complacency as they prepare to face Iraq in their second group match on American soil.