Sport: Soccer Country: France Category: Scores & Results

Iraq coach jokes about using three goalkeepers against France

4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 5:29 AM

Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Iraq coach jokes about using three goalkeepers against France

Summary

Iraq coach Graham Arnold made a lighthearted comment about employing three goalkeepers to counter French captain Kylian Mbappé before their World Cup match scheduled for Monday. Arnold's quip came during a pre-match news conference in Philadelphia. Iraq lost their opening match 4-1 to Norway, while France secured a 3-1 victory against Senegal, with Mbappé scoring twice in the second half after a slow start.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Graham Arnold joked about playing three goalkeepers against Mbappé.
•Iraq lost to Norway 4-1 in their opening World Cup match.
•France defeated Senegal 3-1, with Mbappé scoring two goals.
•The match is set for Monday in the World Cup tournament.

Latest Updates

5:29 AMYahoo Sports — Iraq coach jokes about needing '3 goalkeepers' to stop France
11:47 PMESPN — Iraq's plan to stop Mbappé? Ask to play 3 keepers
7:56 PMYahoo Sports — We have asked to play three keepers against France, jokes Iraq boss

What they're saying

"
Iraq coach Graham Arnold has joked about a novel approach to nullify the threat of France captain Kylian Mbappé in Monday's World Cup clash. "I asked if we could play with three goalkeepers," the Australian giggled at a pre-match news conference in Philadelphia on Sunday.
— Yahoo Sports

"
Iraq coach Graham Arnold -- tasked with slowing down Kylian Mbappé and the 2022 World Cup finalists France on Monday -- had an idea that might have worked.
— ESPNby Associated Press