Didier Deschamps Sticks with Winning Team for Iraq Clash

Didier Deschamps is not in the mood for experiments. After opening France’s World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-1 win over Senegal, the France coach is expected to keep faith with the same core that eventually overpowered Les Lions de la Teranga, as Iraq await on Monday evening.

Deschamps sticks with his winning hand

The message from Clairefontaine is clear: no “major” changes. L’Équipe report that Deschamps, satisfied with the response his players produced after the break against Senegal, plans to stay close to that blueprint.

He has reasons to. France were sluggish in the first half of their group opener, second to too many balls and short of their usual tempo. The interval changed everything. After a sharp dressing down in the dressing room, Les Bleus emerged transformed, snapping into challenges, pushing higher, and finally playing with the authority expected of a tournament heavyweight. Three second-half goals told the story of a team that had been jolted awake.

That surge has bought this XI credit. Deschamps, a coach who values stability as much as flair, sees little point in ripping up a plan that eventually clicked so emphatically.

Near full squad, no new alarms

The medical bulletin only strengthens that stance. No fresh fitness problems surfaced from the Senegal match, a welcome outcome in a tournament where every sprint carries a risk.

Malo Gusto and William Saliba are still managing their own individual issues and remain under treatment, but the concerns are described as minor rather than alarming. Their situations are being monitored, yet there is no sense of crisis around either defender.

For Deschamps, it means almost a full deck to choose from and the luxury of continuity. France head into the Iraq clash with their first win banked, their key men available, and a coach intent on riding the momentum of a second-half performance that finally looked like France at a World Cup.