Senegal vs Iraq prediction: team news, lineups, expert analysis June 26, 2026
In the third round of the World Cup on June 26, 2026, a match will be played between the national teams of Senegal and Iraq. Only a victory will give the group outsiders a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
Senegal vs Iraq: Team News and Expert Analysis
Senegal won their qualifying group, earning 24 points from ten matches. Then, at the Africa Cup of Nations, they reached the final and de facto beat Morocco on penalties, but formally received a technical defeat in the final. However, before the World Cup, they lost friendly matches to the USA and were held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia. At the tournament itself, they put up a fight against France, but lost 1-3. Against Norway, they were close to a draw, but ultimately lost 2-3.
Iraq fought for a long time to return to the World Cup for the first time in a couple of decades. After narrowly losing the battle for second place in their main qualifying group to Jordan, the team then also lost out to Saudi Arabia (despite being level on points), but finished ahead of Indonesia. This sent them into an intercontinental playoff, where they beat Bolivia 2-1. They then won a friendly against Andorra, and even managed a draw with Spain. But in their last match, they unexpectedly lost 0-2 to Venezuela. In the first round against Norway, they at least managed a consolation goal. Against the stronger French team, the final score was 0-3 by the start of the second half.
The African football leaders average 1.6 goals scored per match and concede 1.1. Their Persian Gulf opponents score 0.9 goals per game and concede 1.5.
Previous Matches: Senegal vs Iraq
This will be the first ever head-to-head meeting between the teams.
Mané and company are expected to win here, and not by a narrow margin. We recommend betting on them with a "-1.5 goals" handicap (odds – 1.72).
Senegal vs Iraq: Key Statistics and Trends
- Senegal have not won in four consecutive matches
- 50% of Senegal's matches end with both teams scoring and an average total of 2.7 goals per match
- Iraq have won two of their last eight matches
- 40% of Iraq's matches end with both teams scoring and an average total of 2.4 goals per game.
Senegal vs Iraq: Probable Starting Lineups
Senegal are expected to play a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Diaw - El Hadji Malik Diouf, Niakhaté, Koulibaly, Diatta - Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye - Lamine Camara, Sadio Mané, Sarr - Nicolas Jackson. Mendy was injured in the last round.
Iraq are expected to play a 1-4-1-4-1 formation (possible lineup): Fadhil - Doski, Hashim, Tahsin, Ali - Al-Amari - Baesh, Iqbal, Ismael, Kasem - Hussein. Yahya is definitely out, and there are doubts about Hussein.
Follow the World Cup standings and check your team's form before placing a bet on the next match.
