Iraq Coach Jokes About Using Three Goalkeepers Against France

Iraq's national team is gearing up for a daunting challenge as they face France in Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia. In a light-hearted comment, Iraq's head coach, Graham Arnold, humorously asked if it was possible to "play with three goalkeepers" to stop France's formidable attacking lineup. "I asked if we could field three goalkeepers, but I was told no," Arnold joked, acknowledging the offensive prowess of Didier Deschamps' squad.

Despite the jest, Arnold is serious about the opportunity this match presents for Iraq. "Facing France is a tremendous opportunity," he stated, recognizing that his players might never have faced opponents of such caliber before. "We will focus on ourselves," Arnold added, emphasizing the importance of self-control and readiness to demonstrate Iraq's capabilities on the world stage.

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Reflecting on his prior experience against France, Arnold noted his encounter with Deschamps' team while coaching Australia at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where they lost 4-1. "He's an extraordinary man," Arnold said of Deschamps. "His players clearly adore him, which will certainly motivate them to achieve great things."

As Iraq prepares to recover from a 4-1 loss to Norway, they find themselves at the bottom of Group I. Meanwhile, France, having defeated Senegal 3-1, sits second, tied in points with Erling Haaland's team.

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