{"id":16238,"date":"2026-06-26T22:33:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=16238"},"modified":"2026-06-26T22:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:22:19","slug":"senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Senegal vs Iraq | FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Group I | BMO Field, Toronto | Jun 27, 2026 | 12:30 AM IST<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Match_Overview\" >Match Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Senegal_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\" >Senegal \u2014 Team Analysis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Iraq_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\" >Iraq \u2014 Team Analysis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Head-to-Head\" >Head-to-Head<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Tactical_Preview\" >Tactical Preview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Key_Storylines\" >Key Storylines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/#Our_Prediction\" >Our Prediction<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Match_Overview\"><\/span><strong>Match Overview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">France and Norway are through, but Group I&#8217;s final matchday isn&#8217;t over for Senegal and Iraq. In the expanded 48-team format, the best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32 \u2014 and that door is still open. Win for either side: three points, third place, and a shot at the Round of 32. A draw leaves both teams on a single point \u2014 mathematically insufficient to qualify. Both go home. A win or nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u25ba Catch every kick live on ZEE 5 \u2014 India&#8217;s official home of the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><em>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/em><\/a><em>. Download the ZEE 5 app.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Senegal_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/senegal\/senegal-squad\"><strong>Senegal<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2014 Team Analysis<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senegal came into the tournament as one of Africa\u2019s best hopes, but the group stage hasn&#8217;t gone to plan. A 1-3 defeat to France, then a 2-3 loss to Norway despite fighting back twice through Isma\u00efla Sarr. Six goals conceded in two games. Pape Thiaw&#8217;s side needs a win here \u2014 not just for pride, but for survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The talent tells a different story. Kalidou Koulibaly \u2014 one of the finest defenders in European football for the better part of a decade \u2014 anchors the back line. Idrissa Gueye functions as one of the continent&#8217;s most effective midfield disruptors. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) gives them a mobile, athletic option in attack. When this side clicks, it can compete with anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Player: <\/strong>Sadio Man\u00e9 \u2014 At 34 and in his last World Cup, he&#8217;s come out of international retirement for one final chance. Senegal&#8217;s greatest ever player wants to sign off with a goal on the biggest stage of them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Iraq_%E2%80%94_Team_Analysis\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/iraq\/iraq-squad\"><strong>Iraq<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2014 Team Analysis<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iraq are at their first World Cup since 1986, and the group stage has been a harsh welcome. A 1-4 defeat to Norway, then a 0-3 loss to France \u2014 seven goals conceded, one scored. Graham Arnold&#8217;s side have been overrun in both matches, and the gap between Asian qualifying and elite group opposition has been shown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aymen Hussein scored Iraq&#8217;s first World Cup goal in 40 years against Norway \u2014 even if the same match also saw him net an own goal. Zidane Iqbal, born in Manchester, came through United&#8217;s academy before choosing Iraq. Ali Al-Hamadi was the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League. This generation is real, whatever the scorelines suggest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Player: <\/strong>Aymen Hussein \u2014 The man who scored the goal that sent Iraq to their first World Cup in 40 years, and the player who found the net in this group against Norway. Against a Senegal defence that has leaked six goals, he&#8217;ll back himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Head-to-Head\"><\/span><strong>Head-to-Head<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senegal and Iraq have barely crossed paths in senior international football. This is their first World Cup meeting, with their head-to-head record across all competitions showing only a handful of prior encounters. Friday night at BMO Field is uncharted territory for both nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactical_Preview\"><\/span><strong>Tactical Preview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senegal&#8217;s best moments in this group have come down the right through Isma\u00efla Sarr \u2014 his pace and directness created real problems even for Norway. Pape Thiaw will want Man\u00e9 operating between the lines to link play, with Sarr offering width and Jackson making runs in behind. If the Lions of Teranga can settle early, their quality should take over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iraq will set up compactly and look to counterattack. Zidane Iqbal is the key figure \u2014 if he can control the tempo and direct Hussein into space, Iraq have enough to make this uncomfortable. Their one goal in this group came from exactly that pattern against Norway. They won&#8217;t come to Toronto to be passive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Storylines\"><\/span><strong>Key Storylines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sadio Man\u00e9 came out of international retirement for this tournament \u2014 his last. He&#8217;s Senegal&#8217;s greatest ever player, the man who delivered their first AFCON title in 2022. A win here tonight and he doesn&#8217;t have to say goodbye just yet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look past the results. Zidane Iqbal grew up in Manchester, came through United&#8217;s academy, and chose to represent Iraq. Ali Al-Hamadi was the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League. Aymen Hussein scored the qualifying goal that ended a 40-year World Cup absence. These aren&#8217;t journeymen filling a squad \u2014 they&#8217;re the beginning of something.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Our_Prediction\"><\/span><strong>Our Prediction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senegal has a quality advantage. Their results don\u2019t reflect their squad \u2014 losing to France and Norway in close matches is not the same as being outclassed. Iraq, meanwhile have conceded seven goals and found no defensive structure that holds. With a spot still available, Man\u00e9, Sarr, and Jackson should provide enough to get the win Senegal needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hussein and Iqbal will get their moments. But Senegal\u2019s class tells in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u25ba Don&#8217;t miss a moment of the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 action. Stream live and on-demand on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><em>ZEE5 FIFA Subscription<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp; 5 \u2014 wherever you are in India. Download the ZEE 5 app today.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Group I | BMO Field, Toronto | Jun 27, 2026 | 12:30 AM IST Match Overview France and Norway are through, but Group I&#8217;s final matchday isn&#8217;t over for Senegal and Iraq. In the expanded 48-team format, the best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32 \u2014 and that door is still open. Win [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":16232,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3122,3334],"class_list":["post-16238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-group-i","tag-senegal-vs-iraq-match-preview"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400-29-3.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Senegal vs Iraq | FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Preview - Zee 5 Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Senegal vs Iraq preview FIFA 2026\u2122\u2014team news, Man\u00e9 vs Hussein, tactics, and prediction in Group I decider.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/senegal-iraq-fifa-world-cup-2026-preview\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Senegal vs Iraq | FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Preview - 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