The Iraq national football team is preparing to face France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after drawing with Spain in a friendly match. France defender William Saliba warns his teammates not to underestimate the Iraq national football team, confirming that they are fully aware of the strength of the Lions of Mesopotamia. Saliba said in a press conference on Saturday: Iraq has a good team, and the match will not be easy, even if some people think so. They qualified and won against Bolivia to book their place, and drew with Spain, and we expect a strong match. France coach Didier Deschamps is using the result of Spain's friendly match against Iraq to motivate his players and make them aware of the upcoming match in the World Cup. Deschamps said in his direct conversation with his players: Do you know anything about Iraq? Do not think in your hearts that it is a small team, because it is not, and I assure you of this. First, and this is a fact so that you are aware of it, do you know Bolivia? It is a good South American team, and they won against them in Mexico. Second, Spain, do you know it? It was a preparatory match, yes, but they drew against Spain. Saliba and his colleagues hope that the pitch in Philadelphia will be better than the New York/New Jersey stadium, which they criticized. Saliba said: I was a bit surprised by the quality of the pitch. The pitch seemed artificial and hard, but we had to play. It is clear that the grass was not in its best condition. And of course, the same applies to both teams, but it was not in its best condition. The Iraq national football team is considered one of the best in the group after winning against Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff in late March. France will have to do their best to win against Iraq in the upcoming match. This will be the first challenge for France in the 2026 World Cup.