Senegal
Iraq
>Senegal vs Iraq Prediction & Betting Tips – 26/06/2026
Two sides staring down the barrel meet at Toronto Stadium on 26 June in a World Cup Group Stage fixture where defeat almost certainly spells the end. Senegal have lost both opening matches and desperately need a result to salvage any hope of qualifying as one of the best third-placed sides. Iraq, appearing at the finals for the first time since 1986, find themselves in an identical predicament, winless and carrying a goal difference of minus six. This is the first competitive encounter between these two nations, and for the losers, the tournament is over.
Match Analysis
Senegal enter this dead-rubber clash as clear favorites at 1.25, backed by a World Cup ranking of 19th globally, superior possession averaging 57%, and an attacking trident of Mané, Jackson, and Sarr that Iraq simply cannot match.
- 11.5 shots per game for Senegal versus Iraq's tournament-low 7.5 underlines the attacking dominance.
- 8.5 chances created per game compared to Iraq's meagre 3.5 highlights a massive creative gap.
- Senegal ranked 19th globally versus Iraq's 60th, a structural quality edge that should assert itself here.
- 57% average possession this tournament gives Senegal consistent control and territory against a depleted Iraq.
Iraq arrive at 12.00 having lost all three group games with a goal difference of -6, and now face this fixture without their two most dangerous forwards, Aymen Hussein and Mohanad Ali, both ruled out through injury.
- Iraq have conceded seven goals in two matches, the worst defensive record in the group.
- Both key strikers absent: Mohanad Ali confirmed out, Aymen Hussein highly unlikely to feature.
- Ali Al-Hamadi leads the line alone, with just one goal scored across the entire tournament.
Key point: With both defenses badly exposed and Senegal's backup goalkeeper Mory Diaw starting, the double-chance home combined with 1.53 offers a compelling alternative angle on a high-scoring Senegal win.
Form & Statistics: Senegal vs Iraq
Senegal
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Iraq
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: Senegal vs Iraq
Senegal
Starters
- 1 Mory Diaw
- 2 Krepin Diatta
- 3 Kalidou Koulibaly
- 4 Moussa Niakhaté
- 5 El Hadji Malick Diouf
- 6 Idrissa Gueye
- 7 Lamine Camara
- 8 Pape Gueye
- 9 Ismaila Sarr
- 10 Nicolas Jackson
- 11 Sadio Mané
Bench
- Yehvann Diouf
- Mamadou Sarr
- Abdoulaye Seck
- Pathé Ciss
- Assane Diao Diaoune
- Cheikh Dieng
- Cherif Ndiaye
- Iliman Ndiaye
- Ismail Jakobs
- Pape Sarr
- Ibrahim Mbaye
- Mouhamadou Diarra
- Bara Sapoko Ndiaye
- Antoine Mendy
Absent
- Edouard Mendy (Left knee injury (sprain due to overstretched medial ligament) sustained against Norway.)
Iraq
Starters
- 1 Ahmed Basil
- 2 Hussein Ali
- 3 Zaid Tahseen
- 4 Akam Hashem
- 5 Merchas Doski
- 6 Amir Al-Ammari
- 7 Zaid Ismail
- 8 Zidane Iqbal
- 9 Ahmed Qasem
- 10 Ibrahim Bayesh
- 11 Ali Al-Hamadi
Bench
- Jalal Hassan
- Rebin Sulaka
- Manaf Younis
- Ali Youssef
- Youssef Amyn
- Ali Jassim
- Fahad Talib
- Ahmed Yahya
- Frans Putros
- Mustafa Saadoon
- Kevin Yakob
- Aimar Sher
- Marko Farji
Absent
- Mohanad Ali (Injury; he missed the France match and will not be available for the Senegal game.)
Medium confidence
A 4-3-3 against a 4-1-4-1 shapes up as a contest between Senegalese attacking width and Iraqi defensive compactness. Sadio Mané leads the line alongside Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson, giving the Lions of Teranga genuine pace and craft across the front three.
Iraq sit deeper, relying on Amir Al-Ammari to screen the back four and Zidane Iqbal to provide creativity from midfield. Both sides carry probable rather than confirmed status, though multiple credible sources align on these selections, lending reasonable confidence to the expected shape of this World Cup fixture.
Our Verdict
Senegal at 1.25 represents the standout pick here. Their attacking output dwarfs Iraq's, averaging 11.5 shots per match compared to a meagre 7.5, and the absence of Aymen Hussein and Mohanad Ali strips Iraq of their primary goal threats. Al-Hamadi will carry a heavy burden up front. Senegal's defensive frailties make over 2.5 goals at 1.53 an appealing secondary selection. Both teams to score at 2.10 also warrants consideration given Senegal's back-to-back three-goal concessions. Odds correct at time of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Senegal vs Iraq?
Senegal to win is the standout selection here, available at 1.25. The Lions of Teranga hold a clear ranking advantage and have outshot Iraq considerably throughout this tournament. With Iraq shorn of both Aymen Hussein and Mohanad Ali through injury, their already-misfiring attack is gutted, and Senegal's quality through Mané, Jackson, and Sarr should prove decisive.
What time does Senegal vs Iraq kick off?
Senegal vs Iraq kicks off at 19:00 UTC on 26th June 2026. The fixture takes place at the Toronto Stadium in Canada, as both sides conclude their World Cup Group Stage campaign knowing that only a strong result keeps any hope of progression as one of the best third-placed sides alive.
Where can I watch Senegal vs Iraq on TV?
Broadcast arrangements for Senegal vs Iraq will vary depending on your territory. We recommend checking your domestic sports broadcaster or streaming platform for confirmed coverage details. Rights holders across the UK, Africa, and the Middle East are all expected to carry live coverage of this World Cup Group Stage fixture.
What is Senegal's recent record against Iraq?
This fixture represents a historic first meeting between Senegal and Iraq at any level of international football. There is no previous head-to-head record to draw upon, making this an entirely fresh encounter between two sides whose paths have simply never crossed before on the international stage.
