LIVE UPDATES: Senegal vs Iraq World Cup 2026 – Follow all the action, the goals and celebrations

However, Senegal carry a slight psychological edge in broader World Cup history, having never lost in their two previous encounters against Asian opposition at the tournament, recording one win and one draw.

There is no previous competitive meeting between Senegal and Iraq, making this an entirely new matchup on the international stage.

Head-to-Head Context

Defeats to Norway (4-1) and France (3-0) have exposed defensive weaknesses, with goals conceded proving costly. Their goal difference now leaves them in a difficult position, meaning even a win here may not be enough to secure progression.

Iraq will know that a disciplined defensive performance, particularly keeping a clean sheet, would be crucial to improving their chances, but their recent record of just one clean sheet in their last eight internationals raises concerns heading into this decisive fixture.

For Iraq, this tournament represents only their second-ever appearance at the World Cup finals, and while qualification itself was celebrated, the challenge of a difficult group has been evident.

Iraq’s Struggles and Qualification Hopes

Despite those struggles, there is still belief within the squad, especially given their record of eight clean sheets in their last ten international victories, a reminder of their defensive potential when at their best.

Those losses mean Senegal are now at risk of suffering three defeats in a single World Cup campaign for the first time in their history, while back-to-back games conceding three or more goals marks an unwanted defensive record they have not experienced this century.

Senegal arrived at this World Cup carrying high expectations for what is their third consecutive appearance at the tournament, but results have not gone according to plan. Defeats to France (3-1) and Norway (3-2) have left the Lions of Teranga searching for redemption.

Match Build-Up and Current Form

Both sides head into their final group match determined to finish their campaigns on a positive note, with hopes of securing a first win of the tournament and potentially keeping alive slim chances of progressing to the knockout stage as a third-placed qualifier.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live coverage of the Group I encounter between Senegal and Iraq at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto.