Senegal and Iraq take the field this Friday (26) in Toronto for a decisive clash in the last round of Group I of the 2026 World Cup. Both teams have zero points after two defeats and need victory to keep their hopes of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams alive.
The game is scheduled for 4pm (Brasília time) at BMO Field. Senegal arrives as favorites, but with an exposed defense and without starting goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, injured in his knee. The African team lost to France and Norway, conceding six goals in total.
On the other hand, Iraq is experiencing an even more delicate situation. With just one goal scored and seven conceded, the Asian team seeks to end the campaign with dignity in their first participation in the World Cup since 1986. Coach Graham Arnold should maintain the 4-3-3 formation.
Possible lineups
Senegal (4-3-3):M. Diaw; K. Diatta, K. Koulibaly, M. Niakhaté, E. H. M. Diouf; L. Camara, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; I. Sarr, N. Jackson, S. Mané. Coach: Pape Thiaw.
Iraq (4-3-3):A. Basil; H. Ali, Z. Tahseen, A. Hashem, M. Doski; A. Al-Ammari, I. Bayesh, Z. Iqbal; A. Qasem, A. Al-Hamadi, (possible Aymen Hussein).
Coach Pape Thiaw, who led Senegal to the recent African Cup of Nations title, needs to motivate the group after results below expectations. Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mané remain the main references to look for the attack.
What’s at stake on the table
France and Norway already have six points each and lead Group I comfortably. For Senegal, victory is mandatory, but it still depends on other results to guarantee a place among the best third parties. Iraq, practically eliminated, plays without qualifying pressure, which can make it dangerous in counterattacks.
Historically, Senegal has more experience in World Cups and tends to grow in decisive moments. Iraq, in turn, returns to the tournament after four decades of absence and uses national pride as fuel to surprise.