Senegal vs Iraq prediction. Senegal and Iraq — both on zero points in Group I — meet at BMO Field, Toronto on Friday, 26 June 2026 (21:00 SAST (Friday, 26 June 2026)). Both need a win to keep any slim best-third-place qualification hope alive. Senegal have the quality advantage. Our prediction: Senegal to win. Full analysis, team news and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group I, Match Day 3 |
| Date & kick-off | Friday, 26 June 2026 at 21:00 SAST (Friday, 26 June 2026) |
| Venue | BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Group I standings | After Match Day 2: Norway 6pts, France 6pts, Senegal 0pts, Iraq 0pts |
| Stakes | Mathematically, a win with a large goal difference could count toward best third-place qualification. Both sides primarily playing for pride and tournament legacy. |
| Simultaneous match | Norway vs France — Group I top spot decider. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Senegal’s last chance vs Iraq’s farewell
Senegal’s 2026 World Cup campaign has been a disappointment for the reigning AFCON champions. A 3-1 opening defeat to France, followed by a 3-2 loss to Norway in which they showed fight and scored twice, leaves them pointless and without a realistic path to the knockout stage. The campaign has also been complicated by reported unrest in the squad over funds owed from their AFCON victory — an unhelpful distraction in a high-pressure tournament environment.
Despite the results, the quality in Aliou Cissé’s squad remains evident. Sadio Mané has yet to find his best form but starts here with point to prove. Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) and Ismaila Sarr provide attacking width and creativity. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) leads the line. The article notes Jackson has been wasteful in front of goal but will retain his place. Defensively, Kalidou Koulibaly remains the organising force alongside Moussa Diakhate.
Iraq arrive in the same position, having lost both matches against Norway (1-4) and France (0-2). Graham Arnold’s side conceded seven goals and scored just once through Aymen Hussein against Norway. The squad is not expected to make changes. Amir Al-Ammari drives from midfield; Ali Jasim provides width. For Iraq, this match represents their last appearance at a World Cup finals and a chance for players to leave a personal legacy through individual performance.
Team news
Senegal: Koulibaly marshals the defence. Mané starts. Ndiaye and Sarr in support. Jackson up front. Strongest available XI.
Iraq: Unchanged XI expected. Hussein leads the attack. Al-Ammari in midfield.
| Senegal (4-3-3 expected) | Iraq (4-4-2 expected) |
| Mendy (GK) | Jalal Hasan (GK) |
| Sabaly (RB) | H. Ali (RB) |
| Koulibaly (CB) | Z. Tahseen (CB) |
| Diakhate (CB) | A. Hashim (CB) |
| Jakobs (LB) | Doski (LB) |
| Gueye (DM) | I. Bayesh (RM) |
| Mane (CM) | Al-Ammari (CM) |
| Ndiaye (AM) | O. Rashid (CM) |
| Sarr (RW) | A. Jasim (LM) |
| Jackson (ST) | Al-Hamadi (ST) |
| Mbaye (LW) | Hussein (ST) |
Key stats
- Senegal: 0pts from 2 matches. Lost France 1-3 (MD1), lost Norway 2-3 (MD2).
- Senegal: reigning AFCON champions. Best World Cup finish: quarter-finals (2002). Reached R16 in 2022.
- Senegal form (last 5): L L D L W.
- Sadio Mané: yet to find his best form. Starts here.
- Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea): wasteful in front of goal but retains his place.
- Iliman Ndiaye (Everton): attacking creativity from midfield.
- Ismaila Sarr: KE article states Sarr scored a brace vs Norway. Our Norway vs Senegal file credits Mbaye as the Senegal scorer.
- Kalidou Koulibaly: Senegal’s defensive leader.
- Reported camp unrest over AFCON funds: flagged as distraction but players expected to be motivated for final match.
- Iraq: 0pts from 2 matches. Lost Norway 1-4 (MD1, Hussein scored), lost France 0-2 (MD2).
- Iraq: returning to the World Cup after a 40-year absence.
- Iraq form (last 5): L L L D W.
- Aymen Hussein: Iraq’s only tournament scorer (vs Norway).
- Amir Al-Ammari: midfield creative threat for Iraq.
- H2H: first ever meeting between Senegal and Iraq in any fixture.
- Group I standings (after MD2): Norway 6pts, France 6pts, Senegal 0pts, Iraq 0pts.
Head-to-head
Senegal and Iraq have never previously met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Group I match is the first ever encounter between the two nations.
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| Senegal | L L D L W — 3 losses in last 4 |
| Iraq | L L L D W — 3-game losing streak into this fixture |
Our prediction
Senegal possess significantly more individual quality, World Cup experience, and athletic depth. Despite the camp unrest and the poor results so far, the squad’s pedigree — AFCON champions, 2002 quarter-finalists, 2022 R16 — is beyond anything Iraq can match. Mané, Sarr, Jackson, and Ndiaye represent a forward line with a combined Premier League pedigree that dwarfs Iraq’s attacking options.
Iraq have competed on spirit and organisation throughout this tournament but lack the individual quality to outplay a fully motivated Senegal side. Koulibaly’s defensive authority should be enough to keep Hussein and Al-Ammari quiet.
Our prediction: Senegal to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2100Hrs UTC on 26/06//2026.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Senegal vs Iraq event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Senegal vs Iraq kick off?
Kick-off is at 21:00 SAST (Friday, 26 June 2026) on Friday, 26 June 2026, at BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Can Senegal or Iraq still qualify from Group I?
Neither Senegal nor Iraq can qualify for the Round of 32 through the group standings alone — both Norway and France are already confirmed in the top two. However, a win with a substantial goal difference could theoretically count toward best third-place qualification if the scores across other groups are favourable. Both sides are primarily playing for pride and individual legacy.
What is Senegal’s best ever World Cup performance?
Senegal’s best World Cup performance was a quarter-final appearance in 2002 when they also caused one of the tournament’s great upsets by beating France in the group stage. They reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Have Senegal and Iraq ever played before?
No. This World Cup Group I match is the first ever fixture between Senegal and Iraq in any competition.
What group are Senegal and Iraq in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group I alongside Norway and France. After Match Day 2, Norway and France are through with six points each. Senegal and Iraq are both on zero points.
READ ALSO: Norway vs France Prediction.