Senegal vs Iraq Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Senegal are not yet eliminated from FIFA World Cup 2026 but they need a fairly big win as they now take on Iraq in their final game in Group I in Toronto.
Kick-off date/time:
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How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Senegal preview: Strong but sloppy
Drawn into an extremely tough group alongside France and Norway, Senegal, perhaps the strongest team in Africa over the last decade or so, have succumbed to back-to-back defeats in entertaining games where they were probably rightly beaten but games in which they had sustained periods of their own dominance.
In the first half against France, Senegal were extremely unfortunate to be level at half-time before they then suffered a 3-2 loss to Norway in a game that was end-to-end for much of it and saw The Lions of Teranga come close to snatching a point late on in New York/New Jersey.
Iraq preview: Underwhelming Iraqis
Iraq head into their final game in Group I with their own chance of qualifying but they need a hefty win here, with their goal difference currently sitting at -6 after defeats to Norway and then France.
Former Australia boss Graham Arnold led Iraq to the FIFA World Cup after 21 AFC qualification matches. That would suggest limited quality and that has been the case with the Iraqis beginning with a 4-1 loss to Norway in Boston in their opener before then being beaten 3-0 by France in Philadelphia in a game that was delayed for two hours at half-time.
Senegal team news: Changing of the guard
Pape Thiaw has shown immense loyalty to his extremely impressive spine that includes Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane, but all four of that experienced quartet have underperformed thus far, with Mendy now ruled out due to a knee injury.
Iliman Ndiaye and Ibrahim Mbaye will be expected to push for a start in this game after being under utilised. It could well be that Thiaw goes with a 4-2-3-1 system in order to accommodate their attackers as well as get the foot down against Iraq.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Diaw; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, E. Diouf; Camara, P. Gueye; I. Sarr, I. Ndiaye, Mbaye; Mane
Unavailable: Mendy (Injured)
Questionable:
Iraq team news: Aymen Hussein doubt
Following the first-half hydration break in Philadelphia against the French, Iraq took the decision to replace Aymen Hussein, with the experienced striker limping off but no injury having been reported.
Arnold took the decision to bring Ahmed Basil in for captain Jalal Hassan between the sticks but Basil was hardly the most reassuring presence so another change there wouldn't be a massive surprise.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashim, Doski; Al Ammari, Ismail; Bayesh, Iqbal, Jasim; Al Hamadi
Unavailable:
Questionable: Hussein (Injured)
Senegal’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
El Hadji Malick Diouf ($4.1m) – Defender
Sadio Mane ($7.6m) – Midfielder
Ismaila Sarr ($6.2m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Ismaila Sarr
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson
Free kicks: Sadio Mane
Corners: Sadio Mane, Krepin Diatta
Iraq’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Amir Al Ammari ($5.3m) – Midfielder
Zaid Ismael ($4.4m) – Midfielder
Ali Al Hamadi ($4.7m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Zaid Ismael
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Aymen Hussein, Ali Al Hamadi
Free kicks: Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim
Corners: Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between Senegal and Iraq.
- Senegal have started a World Cup campaign with successive defeats for the first time and their run of three consecutive losses, stretching back to their 0-3 defeat to England in the round of 16 at Qatar 2022, is their longest sequence in the history of the competition.
- None of Senegal’s 14 World Cup matches have finished goalless.
- Senegal have reached the knockout stages in two of their three World Cup participations prior to 2026.
- Ismaïla Sarr is the first Senegalese player to score in two editions of the FIFA World Cup (2022 and 2026).
- With three goals, Ismaïla Sarr is now Senegal’s joint-top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, together with Papa Bouba Diop.
- This is Iraq’s first World Cup match against an African team.
- Iraq are seeking their first positive result at the World Cup having lost their five matches to date.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Senegal vs Iraq prediction
Senegal have a goal difference of -3 and now themselves need their own big win and they aren't necessarily a team that can put sides to the sword.
For example, their run to the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year saw the Senegalese beat both Botswana and Benin by three goals to nil in the group stages before grinding out unconvincing but solid victories Sudan, Mali, Egypt and Morocco in the knockout stages.
That said, though, there is a large gulf in class between the two. Iraq did play some fairly easy-on-the-eye patterns of play against both Norway and France but their limited quality undermined any sort of threat and so Senegal should be able to take the handbrake off and rack up a much-needed big win here.
Senegal vs Iraq betting tip: Senegal to win with -1 handicap
