Senegal and Iraq take to the field this Friday (26) with lineups already confirmed for a duel that defines the future of both teams in Group I of the 2026 World Cup. The match, scheduled for 4pm (Brasília time) at BMO Field, in Toronto, Canada, pits two teams from zero in the table face to face who are looking for a convincing victory to dream of ranking among the best third-placed teams.
Pape Thiaw, Senegal coach, opted for Mory Diaw in goal, as Édouard Mendy remains out with a knee injury. The defense features Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté and El Hadji Malick Diouf. In the middle, Idrissa Gueye (captain), Pape Gueye and Lamine Camara form the base, with Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mané in attack. The Teranga Lions team needs a good result to improve their goal difference and depend on other scores.
On the Iraqi side, coach Graham Arnold should send Ahmed Basil in goal, with Hussein Ali, Akam Hashem, Zaid Tahseen and Merchas Doski on the defensive line. Amir Al-Ammari and other teammates make up the midfield, with Ali Al-Hamadi as the main reference in attack. Iraq arrives with an even more negative balance and needs a significant victory to fuel any hope of advancement.
Senegal confirmed lineup
- Goalkeeper: Mory Diaw
- Defenders: Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf
- Midfielders: Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gueye (c), Pape Gueye
- Forwards: Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mané
Iraq line-up confirmed
- Goalkeeper: Ahmed Basil
- Defenders: Hussein Ali, Akam Hashem, Zaid Tahseen, Merchas Doski
- Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari, Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal, among others
- Striker: Ali Al-Hamadi
France and Norway have already secured the two direct places in the group and will play each other at the same time in search of leadership. Senegal lost to France 3-1 and Norway 3-2, while Iraq was beaten 4-1 by Norway and 3-0 by France. It is the first meeting between the two teams in World Cups.
A Senegalese victory by an elastic score could leave the African team with three points and a viable balance to fight for one of the third places. Iraq, with a more compromised goal difference, depends on an even more impressive triumph and favorable results in other games. The confrontation takes on the shape of a decision for those who want to extend their World Cup campaign.