France’s defender William Saliba has cautioned against underestimating Iraq ahead of their upcoming World Cup Group I qualifier on Monday. Despite France being heavily favored, Saliba anticipates a challenging match, emphasizing Iraq will not be an easy opponent. He indicated the team is preparing for a “big battle,” suggesting Iraq will present a strong resistance. This statement comes before France’s second game in the qualifying stage, following a previous match result not specified in the report. Saliba’s comments highlight the respect France has for Iraq’s capabilities and a realistic assessment of the competition. The team is preparing to face a determined Iraqi side, expecting a difficult contest despite the disparity in rankings.