Deschamps: We Should Not Underestimate the Iraqi Team, and This is My Opinion on Yamal

French national team coach Didier Deschamps appeared at a press conference to talk about the match against the Iraqi team on Tuesday, in the second round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

The coach said in his speech: "We must not underestimate the Iraqi team; they are not a small team. They have qualities and have shown them in matches against Spain and Bolivia. We may make some changes, but our goal will remain to achieve victory. The match against Iraq will not be an easy one... we must not think it will be easy."

He added, "Iraq is a team accustomed to playing in a 4-4-2 formation, and they have very strong forwards in the front line. The players know what they need to do on the field, and there is harmony and clear technical relationships among them, even with the changes in the lineup from one match to another. It is not necessarily the case that the weaker team on paper is an easy opponent, as there are many examples of teams that have outperformed theoretically stronger competitors."

We will approach this match with the same passion and ambition that we bring to every encounter, and we will not be complacent against them.

He added, "Dembélé? You're observing him... He struggled in the first half against Senegal, as did the entire team, due to Senegal's style of play and also because of our mistakes. Ousmane plays as a forward at Paris Saint-Germain, but the situation is different here. There are involuntary movements, so we need to make some adjustments."

He continued: "In the second half against Senegal, Ousmane's performance was much better. It also depends on what the other players contribute. Senegal closed the midfield, and we were pushed back there. Once we managed to open up the play a bit and forced their full-backs to spread out, it created more space."

He continued: "Osman has indeed recovered... he is not suffering from any problems or pain. He comes after a season where he couldn't regularly participate in consecutive matches. At Paris Saint-Germain, his playing time is managed. There are no... there are no restrictions on him. I am convinced that he will continue to regain his strength."

Regarding Lamine Yamal and the Spanish national team: "I have no doubt... the Spanish team is stronger with him on the field. This is no longer an opinion, but a reality based on what we see. When a player like him plays, he completely changes the rhythm of the game. He forces defenders to adapt, creates spaces where there are none, and brings an unpredictability that is hard to control. Lamine Yamal makes a difference, not just with goals or decisive passes, but with the way Spain attacks and the level of confidence the entire team feels when he is involved."

He concluded: "What impresses me the most is Yamal's maturity. He plays like someone with years of experience at the highest level, even though he is still very young. In the World Cup, this kind of impact is rare. Most young players need time to adapt, but he is already making an impact in matches at the highest level of football. If Spain continues with him in this form, they are not just a strong team, but one of the most dangerous teams in the entire tournament."