France bracing for 'big battle' against Iraq, says Saliba

France is heavily favored to win their upcoming World Cup Group I match against Iraq, but defender William Saliba insists the team is preparing for an intense battle. France, the 2022 finalists and 2018 champions, currently sit on three points after defeating Senegal 3-1. Iraq, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a 4-1 loss to group leaders Norway.

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They have a good team and it will not be easy even if people think it might be.

"They have a good team and it will not be easy even if people think it might be," Saliba told reporters. He noted Iraq's qualification success, including a draw against Spain and a playoff win over Bolivia. "We expect a great battle," he added.

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They qualified, they beat Bolivia to earn their spot, they drew with Spain, and we expect a great battle.

Fellow defender Lucas Digne echoed Saliba's sentiment, emphasizing the physical nature of the expected match. "They are playing to stay in the competition and so it will be a very physical match," Digne said. "We know the system they will use with their 4-4-2 and their forwards. It will be a very direct match and we need to be ready for that."

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I think it will be a very intense match.

Saliba also commented on the playing surface, expressing surprise at the quality of the pitch during France's first match. "The pitch felt like it was artificial and hard but we were obliged to play. It is clear that the grass was not top," he stated, hoping for an improvement in Philadelphia.

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They are playing to stay in the competition and so it will be a very physical match.