Senegal vs Iraq | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group Stage | Preview and Prediction

African side Senegal will face Asian opponents Iraq in their last group-stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 27 at Toronto Stadium in Canada.

For the game, here we present our preview and prediction.

FIFA WC26 | Group I: SEN vs IRQ | 00:30 IST, June 27, 2026

In what was a potential group of death alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, Senegal lost both their opening two games (3–1 to France and then 3–2 against Norway), and so did Iraq. Although both teams aren’t yet out of the competition, it’s an uphill task to qualify for the knockouts from here.

The AFCON runners-up played the Norwegians in their last game and fought well until the end, but it wasn’t enough. Marcus Pedersen scored the opener for Norway, while Erling Haaland continued his rich vein of form with a brace. Ismaïla Sarr was on the scoresheet for Senegal with two goals, scoring first to bring his team back into the game to make it 2–1 and then in stoppage time to make it 3–2.

Due to their recent run at the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal were expected to perform well. However, they haven’t been able to compete with the European nations in this group, and that has massively hurt their chances of making it to the knockouts.

As for their opponents, Iraq qualified for the World Cup after four decades and were going to be the weakest team in this group on paper. Both France and Norway secured emphatic victories over them, with their previous game against Les Bleus ending in a 3–0 defeat as Kylian Mbappé scored a brace and Ousmane Dembélé also ended up on the scoresheet. With two wins, France are into the knockouts, while Iraq’s chances of qualification are dangling by a thread.

Aymen Hussein has been the sole goalscorer for Iraq at this World Cup and could have threatened the vulnerable Senegalese defence, but he is doubtful for this game due to a muscle injury. Édouard Mendy, meanwhile, may be doubtful for Senegal due to a knee injury.

Iraq have conceded seven goals in their two games, and even if they defeat Senegal, they are potentially out of the World Cup. Senegal do have a slim chance but will have to win by a big margin. The Lions of Téranga do possess some great attacking talent in their line-up, who could trouble the Iraqi defence. We believe Senegal will defeat Iraq comfortably to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Score Prediction: Senegal 3–0 Iraq
Venue: Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada