No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Ismaïla Sarr2 - 2Ibrahim Mbaye1
- 3
Aymen Hussein1
- 1Ismaïla Sarr9
- 2Ali Al Hamadi6
- 3Nicolas Jackson4
- 4Aymen Hussein3
- 5Ibrahim Mbaye2
- 6Lamine Camara2
- 7Zaid Tahseen2
- 8Pape Matar Sarr2
- 9Idrissa Gueye2
- 10Hussein Ali1
- 1Merchas Doski7
- 2Krépin Diatta5
- 3Zaid Ismael4
- 4El Hadji Malick Diouf2
- 5Hussein Ali2
- 6Ibrahim Bayesh2
- 7Idrissa Gueye2
- 8Sadio Mané2
- 9Mustafa Saadoon1
- 10Amir Al Ammari1
- 1Amir Al Ammari1
- 2Iliman Ndiaye1
- 3Nicolas Jackson1
- 4Sadio Mané1
- 1Sadio Mané5
- 2Amir Al Ammari3
- 3Nicolas Jackson3
- 4Ibrahim Mbaye2
- 5Merchas Doski2
- 6Krépin Diatta2
- 7El Hadji Malick Diouf1
- 8Ali Al Hamadi1
- 9Iliman Ndiaye1
- 10Ismaïla Sarr1
- 1Moussa Niakhaté136
- 2Idrissa Gueye119
- 3Akam Hashim110
- 4Krépin Diatta99
- 5Zidane Iqbal83
- 6Amir Al Ammari82
- 7Merchas Doski78
- 8Pape Gueye70
- 9Kalidou Koulibaly69
- 10Zaid Ismael63
- 1Sadio Mané6
- 2Akam Hashim4
- 3Krépin Diatta4
- 4Zidane Iqbal3
- 5Ibrahim Mbaye2
- 6Ali Al Hamadi2
- 7Ismaïla Sarr2
- 8Lamine Camara2
- 9Ali Jasim2
- 10El Hadji Malick Diouf1
- 1Merchas Doski5
- 2El Hadji Malick Diouf2
- 3Hussein Ali2
- 4Lamine Camara2
- 5Akam Hashim2
- 6Moussa Niakhaté2
- 7Kalidou Koulibaly2
- 8Idrissa Gueye2
- 9Sadio Mané2
- 10Pape Gueye2
Senegal and Iraq face a final Group I clash knowing that 2026 World Cup qualification is unlikely. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (UK time) on Friday 26th June at BMO Field, Toronto.
Both sides enter Friday’s fixture knowing that a third placed finish is the best they can hope for. Senegal sit third with a goal difference of minus three, while Iraq prop up the group after conceding seven goals across two matches. Friday’s fixture is mainly a battle for pride and the avoidance of bottom place.
Senegal vs Iraq predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadio Mane anytime assist | 6/4 @ Sky Bet (40%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mané enters Friday’s fixture as Senegal’s most experienced creative presence and carries a relentless desire to contribute on the biggest stage. The veteran forward drops deep to link play, drives into wide channels and consistently finds teammates in dangerous positions with well-timed passes. Iraq’s defensive shape has been chaotic throughout this tournament — seven goals conceded in two games tells its own story. With Senegal pushing forward from the first whistle against the group’s most vulnerable defence, Mané will have ample opportunity to release Sarr, Jackson and Ndiaye in behind. At the available price, an assist looks a well-priced option in Toronto. |
| Zaid Ismael to be shown a card | 5/2 @ Paddy Power (28.6%) | ⭐⭐ | Zaid Ismael enters Friday’s fixture as one of Iraq’s key defensive players — a role that demands constant physical engagement against some of the most direct attacking players in African football. Mané, Sarr and Jackson will run at Iraq’s backline from the first whistle, and Ismael will be tasked with making repeated last-ditch interventions to keep Senegal’s forwards at bay. Iraq’s defensive unit has already shown a tendency to lunge into challenges under pressure, conceding seven goals across two games. With Senegal pushing the tempo and Ismael under sustained physical pressure throughout, a booking looks a realistic and well-priced proposition in Toronto. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into Senegal vs Iraq
Senegal
Senegal arrived in North America among the African favourites but have flattered to deceive across their opening two group games. A 3-1 defeat to France on matchday one was followed by a 3-2 loss to Norway – a result that ended their knockout hopes despite a spirited second-half performance. Ismaila Sarr’s brace against Norway underlined the attacking quality Pape Thiaw’s side possess, but defensive lapses have proved fatal across both fixtures.
Senegal have conceded at least three goals in consecutive matches for the first time this century. Kalidou Koulibaly’s defensive errors against France cost his side dearly and the Lions of Teranga must show far greater organisation at the back against Iraq. A third consecutive defeat would mark the first time Senegal have lost all three matches in a single World Cup campaign – a record nobody in the camp wants to set.
There remains genuine talent in this squad, however. Eighteen-year-old PSG attacker Ibrahim Mbaye scored a superb goal from the bench against France, while Nicolas Jackson’s movement and Sadio Mane’s experience give Senegal a formidable attacking combination. Against Iraq’s leaky defence, this squad has every reason to expect a performance worthy of their world ranking.
Iraq
Iraq compete in only their second World Cup since 1986, and their return has proved an education in the demands of elite international football. Defeats to Norway (4-1) and France (3-0) exposed the challenge of competing in one of the group stage’s toughest groups, leaving Graham Arnold’s side with seven goals conceded and just one scored across 180 minutes. That single goal – Aymen Hussein’s header against Norway – stands as Iraq’s sole moment of genuine joy.
Their progression is no longer in their own hands. Even a victory may not be enough to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams given their minus-six goal difference. Arnold must still demand a performance from his squad – for the pride of a nation returning to this stage for just the second time.
Iraq held Spain to a creditable draw in pre-tournament preparation, which demonstrated real quality against elite opposition. That level has not been reached on the tournament stage. Arnold will use Friday to give fringe players experience and give his squad a platform to end the campaign on a positive note, however slim the chances of progression may be.
Senegal team news
Senegal face a forced change in goal, with Mory Diaw stepping up to replace Edouard Mendy after the goalkeeper picked up an injury during the Norway defeat. It is a significant disruption to Thiaw’s backline at a time when defensive stability is already a concern.
Cherif Ndiaye is a doubt ahead of Friday’s fixture. Thiaw is expected to otherwise name a near-unchanged side, having fielded the same XI across both opening group games. Koulibaly captains the defence alongside Niakhate at centre-back, with Diatta and El Hadji Diouf at full-back.
Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye are expected to continue in central midfield, with Iliman Ndiaye providing creativity ahead of them. Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr lead the attack. Thiaw may use Friday to give fringe players minutes with elimination confirmed, but the desire to end the campaign with a win makes significant rotation unlikely from the start.
Iraq team news
Aymen Hussein – Iraq’s top scorer with eight qualifying goals and their only goalscorer at this tournament – is a doubt for Friday after limping off during the first half against France. His absence would be a major blow for Arnold’s attack ahead of their final group fixture.
Ali Al-Hamadi leads the line in Hussein’s likely absence. The Ipswich striker came off the bench against France and impressed with a whole-hearted display, recording six tournament shots – the fourth-highest in Group I behind Mbappe, Haaland and Sarr. His energy and directness make him Iraq’s best available threat in Toronto.
Iraq are expected to line up in a compact 4-1-4-1, with Jalal Hassan continuing in goal. Zaid Tahseen and Akam Hashim continue at centre-back, with Amir Al-Ammari and Zidane Iqbal providing midfield creativity in support of Al-Hamadi. Arnold has limited attacking options available and will rely on his side’s work ethic and organised shape to make Senegal earn their result.
Head-to-Head
Senegal and Iraq have never met before, leaving this fixture as the first chance for either to gain the advantage over the other.
Will either side find the result they need in Group I?
Both nations enter Friday’s finale knowing their World Cup journey likely ends in Toronto regardless of the result. Senegal carry the greater incentive – a convincing win boosts their chances of finishing as one of the eight best third-placed teams and extending their stay in North America. Iraq play purely for pride and the chance to give their supporters a moment to celebrate.
We’re backing Sadio Mane to be vital to Senegal’s success. Sky Bet are offering odds of 6/4 on Mane to provide an assist with one of their price boosts. It looks like a great value play.
We also like the look of Zaid Ismael to be shown a card at 5/2 with Paddy Power.
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