The Senegal national team will take to the field today against Iraq in their final Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, knowing that only a victory will keep their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 alive.
Senegal have lost both of their opening matches, beginning with a 3-1 defeat to France before suffering a narrow 3-2 loss to Norway. Those results have left them at the bottom of the group, with a win over Iraq representing their last chance to remain in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Pape Thiaw said his team has learned from the mistakes made in the previous games and is ready to fight. Thiaw stressed that everything is still possible on the final day of the group stage, provided his players deliver their best performance on the pitch.
Senegal will rely on forward Ismaïla Sarr, who has already scored two goals in the tournament, along with captain Kalidou Koulibaly and star forward Sadio Mané. Iliman Ndiaye is also expected to play a more prominent role. However, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is set to miss the match due to a knee injury.
Iraq, meanwhile, have also lost both of their matches, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Norway before falling 3-0 to France. As a result, they too enter the match needing a convincing victory while also relying on results elsewhere to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The match, which will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, is expected to be highly competitive. Senegal will be chasing their first win of the tournament in a bid to rescue their World Cup campaign. The outcome will determine whether the former African champions can keep their dream of winning the World Cup alive or face an early exit from the competition.
