Iraq's head coach Graham Arnold has proposed a unique strategy to contain the formidable Kylian Mbappe ahead of their upcoming World Cup match against France. In a light-hearted moment during a press conference on June 21, Arnold jokingly asked if it would be permissible to field three goalkeepers to thwart Mbappe's scoring prowess. However, he was informed that this tactic would not be allowed.

Mbappe has made headlines with his exceptional performance, scoring a double in France's opening match against Senegal, leading to a 3-1 victory. With this achievement, he has now scored a total of 14 goals in World Cup tournaments, placing him just two goals shy of the record held by Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi. Arnold acknowledged the challenge posed by not only Mbappe but also other talented players in the French squad.

Arnold emphasized the importance of focusing on Iraq's collective gameplay rather than attempting to control the French team. "We cannot control France, but we can control our own performance. We will prepare the best we can to showcase our capabilities to the world," he stated. The coach also recognized the daunting task facing his defense, having just faced another top striker, Erling Haaland, in their previous match against Norway, which ended in a 1-4 defeat.

Despite the challenges, Arnold remains committed to an attacking football philosophy. "I always approach matches with the goal of winning, not just to avoid losing," he explained. He believes that instilling this mindset in his players will enhance their chances of success. Additionally, Arnold has yet to decide whether team captain Jalal Hassan will retain his starting position, but he confirmed that winger Ali Jasim has recovered from injury and is ready to play.

The upcoming match against France is particularly significant for Iraq, as they have only qualified for the World Cup once before, in 1986, where they lost all three group stage matches. The anticipation for this encounter is palpable, especially as Arnold looks forward to competing against Didier Deschamps, the French coach who will step down after the tournament.