When asked about defending Kylian Mbappe, Ali focused on the upcoming schedule, including a friendly against Venezuela and the first World Cup match against Norway.
He acknowledged Mbappe's quality but stressed the collective nature of football.
Ali views facing elite players as an invaluable experience to gauge his abilities. He emphasized that defending must be done collectively, not just in one-on-one situations.
Regarding Erling Haaland, Ali noted Iraq's physical and strong players as a strength.
He highlighted the importance of being at 100% at all times, as World Cup matches are decided by milliseconds.
Ali shared his preparation routine, which includes watching clips of technical opponents to understand their movements and weaknesses.
He expressed no preference between facing Mbappe or Haaland, noting their different positions on the pitch.
He recalled advice from Benjamin Mendy, who told him to just do his best because anything is possible in football.
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Ali concluded that entering the group as underdogs allows Iraq to play without pressure, humble but determined to show their capability.
