Didier Deschamps could send a strong message ahead of France’s second World Cup 2026 match against Iraq on Monday evening. After making an immediate impact and scoring against Senegal in a 3-1 victory, Bradley Barcola appears to be the favorite to earn a place in the starting lineup.
The France manager is preparing several adjustments following the opening win. One of the most closely watched decisions concerns the attack. According to the latest reports, Désiré Doué is expected to start on the bench, while Barcola could be rewarded for his decisive contribution against Senegal.
Barcola Set for a Starting Opportunity
Coming off the bench in the first match, the PSG winger needed only a few minutes to find the back of the net. His convincing performance could earn him a starting role alongside Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Kylian Mbappé in France’s attacking quartet.
By contrast, Désiré Doué, despite the high expectations surrounding him, may not have fully convinced Didier Deschamps during France’s opening match. The young Parisian still enjoys the complete confidence of the coaching staff, but competition is fierce in an attacking department where every detail matters.
Despite some criticism after the Senegal game, Ousmane Dembélé is also expected to keep his place. Deschamps recently reminded reporters that the PSG forward is coming off a season disrupted by physical issues and needs time to gradually regain his best form. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni could be rested after missing Sunday’s collective training session, with Manu Koné tipped to start alongside Adrien Rabiot. France’s expected lineup against Iraq is: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Konaté, Hernandez; Koné, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé. For Barcola, it is a perfect chance to confirm his rise, while for Doué, a place on the bench would likely be only a temporary setback in a tournament where Deschamps will need all of his attacking options.
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