Senegal vs Iraq Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview

Senegal vs Iraq | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I | Friday, June 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM ET | BMO Field, Toronto, Canada | TV: Fox Sports

Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
France	2	2	0	0	6	1	6
Norway	2	2	0	0	7	3	6
Senegal	2	0	0	2	3	6	0
Iraq	2	0	0	2	1	7	0

Why This Game Matters

Both Senegal and Iraq arrive at BMO Field with zero points from two matches, meaning this is effectively a dead-rubber contest for group advancement, with France and Norway already having secured the top two spots. Yet the stakes are real in a different sense: Senegal are chasing pride, goal difference, and a record that does not read three straight World Cup losses, while Iraq face the grim arithmetic of having conceded seven goals in their opening two games. A win here would at least give either side a World Cup victory to carry into future cycles, and for Iraq especially, it would be their first ever in the tournament.

Our Pick

Senegal to win at -375 is the headline call, backed by a superior squad depth, a far more experienced World Cup manager, and a side that actually scored three times across their first two group matches despite the defeats. At -375 with BetOnline the price is short, but the gap in quality between these two squads makes Senegal the clearest directional play on the board.

Senegal vs Iraq: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds

Senegal have looked vulnerable defensively in this tournament, conceding three to both France and Norway, but their attacking output tells a different story. Ismaila Sarr has two World Cup goals already, and Ibrahim Mbaye added one more, showing that J. Koto’s side can find the net even against elite opposition. Against an Iraq backline that has shipped seven goals in two games, expect that firepower to register again.

Iraq, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, have been outclassed in both of their group matches, losing 4-1 to Norway and 3-0 to France. G. Arnold’s side managed just one goal across those two fixtures, scored by Aymen Hussein. Their qualifying record of four wins, three draws and two losses from nine matches speaks to a functional but limited side, and the step up to World Cup-level opposition has been stark.

The contrast in squad pedigree is significant. Senegal’s roster includes players from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace. Iraq’s squad is built largely around domestic-league players, with only a handful carrying European club experience. That gap on paper is likely to show on the pitch, and J. Koto’s side should have enough to earn a comfortable three points at BMO Field even with the tournament already over for both nations in terms of advancement.

Recent Form & Trends

Senegal last five results:

• Norway (A): Lost 3-2 – FIFA World Cup 2026
• France (A): Lost 3-1 – FIFA World Cup 2026
• Saudi Arabia (N): Drew 0-0 – Friendly
• United States (A): Lost 3-2 – Friendly
• Gambia (H): Won 3-1 – Friendly

Senegal’s World Cup results are losses, but the context is important. Both France and Norway are strong contenders to advance deep into the tournament, and Senegal scored twice against each of those sides’ opponents in this group. Their qualifying campaign was dominant: five wins and a draw from six matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two. The underlying attacking output is there; the defensive issues are the concern heading into this fixture.

Iraq last five results:

• France (A): Lost 3-0 – FIFA World Cup 2026
• Norway (H): Lost 4-1 – FIFA World Cup 2026
• Venezuela (N): Lost 0-2 – Friendly
• Spain (A): Drew 1-1 – Friendly
• Andorra (N): Won 1-0 – Friendly

Iraq’s form across both competitive and friendly football in 2026 has been largely poor. Three consecutive losses heading into Matchday 3 include a run of conceding nine goals in their last three matches. Their one bright pre-tournament note was a 1-1 draw with Spain in a friendly, but the World Cup has exposed the limitations of a side that qualified through the AFC route against significantly weaker opposition than they are now facing.

Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News

Senegal have their full complement of headline names available. Sadio Mane, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, is fit and in the squad, providing the attacking focal point that was absent four years ago. Idrissa Gueye, now 36 and among the most-capped players on either side, remains a key presence in midfield alongside Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur. The squad also includes the youthful Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain, who already has a goal at this tournament. No fresh injury concerns have been reported ahead of this match.

Iraq have their own experienced names available, led by goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who has 101 caps to his name. Striker Aymen Hussein, Iraq’s most prolific recent scorer with 33 international goals from 94 caps, carries the main attacking threat and provided their sole World Cup goal in 2026 against Norway. Mohanad Ali offers additional forward depth with 27 goals from 71 caps. No significant suspensions or injury news has been flagged from the Iraq camp ahead of the final group fixture.

The squad depth differential is impossible to ignore. Senegal’s bench features players from Monaco, Everton, and West Ham United. Iraq’s squad includes several players from Iraqi domestic clubs, which is not a criticism of their achievement in qualifying, but it does reflect a meaningful quality gap at this level of competition.

Expected Lineups

Senegal (4-3-3): E. Mendy; I. Jakobs, K. Koulibaly (c), M. Niakhate, El H. M. Diouf; I. Gueye, P. Matar Sarr, L. Camara; I. Sarr, S. Mane, I. Ndiaye

Iraq (4-4-2): J. Hassan; M. Doski, R. Sulaka, M. Younis, Z. Tahseen; I. Bayesh, Z. Iqbal, A. Al-Ammari, A. Jasim; A. Hussein (c), A. Al-Hamadi

Predicted lineups based on squad data and tournament form. Official selections to be confirmed closer to kickoff.

Key Matchup to Watch

Sadio Mane against Iraq’s central defensive pairing is the focal duel of this fixture. Mane, the 34-year-old Al-Nassr forward and Senegal’s all-time top scorer, missed the 2022 World Cup and arrives here with plenty to prove on the biggest stage. Iraq’s centre-backs Rebin Sulaka and Manaf Younis have been overrun at this tournament, conceding seven goals across two matches. Mane’s movement between lines and ability to pull defenders wide creates exactly the kind of space that Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr can exploit in behind. If Mane is given any freedom in the final third, Iraq’s backline does not have the personnel to contain the fallout.

Best Bets & Expert Picks

• Main Pick: Senegal to Win – Odds: -375 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel) – Senegal scored three goals against both France and Norway in qualifying and carry genuine attacking firepower into a match against a side that has conceded seven at this tournament. The price is short but directionally correct.
• Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals – Odds: +101 (BetOnline / Lucky Rebel) – Senegal have scored in both of their World Cup matches and Iraq have been leaking goals at a rate of 3.5 per game in this tournament. A total of three or more goals is the probable outcome given both sides’ defensive vulnerabilities.
• Scorer Market: Ismaila Sarr to Score Anytime – Sarr has two World Cup goals already in this tournament and is operating as one of Senegal’s primary wide attackers. He provides a direct running threat that Iraq’s full-backs have not been equipped to deal with in their previous two matches.
• Best Price Available: Iraq +1100 (BetNow) – Only for those seeking a speculative long-shot position. Iraq’s sole World Cup goal at this tournament came from Aymen Hussein, and a result against Senegal would represent a historically significant result for a side returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Betting Odds & Lines

Current match odds for Senegal vs Iraq from the three approved operators are listed below.

Outcome	BetOnline	Lucky Rebel	BetNow
Senegal Win	-375	-375	-400
Draw	+545	+545	+550
Iraq Win	+1000	+1000	+1100

Total Goals (O/U 3)	BetOnline	Lucky Rebel	BetNow
Over 3	+101	+101	+101
Under 3	-117	-117	-121

How to Watch & Where to Bet

How to Watch

Senegal vs Iraq kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on Friday, June 26, 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. In the United States, the match is broadcast on Fox Sports. Canadian viewers can catch it on CTV, TSN, or RDS. UK viewers have ITV and BBC coverage. Full global listings include TF1 and beIN Sports in France, ARD, ZDF, and MagentaTV in Germany, NOS in the Netherlands, and Globo and SporTV in Brazil.

How to Bet

To place a wager on this fixture with one of the approved operators, follow these steps.

1. Choose a licensed and regulated sportsbook such as BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
2. Navigate to the sportsbook’s official website and create an account if you do not already have one.
3. Complete the identity verification process as required by the operator.
4. Navigate to the banking section and deposit funds using your preferred payment method.
5. Go to the Soccer or Football section of the sportsbook.
6. Locate the FIFA World Cup 2026 section and find the Senegal vs Iraq Group I match.
7. Select your market, for example Senegal to Win at -375, and enter your stake.
8. Review your bet slip, confirm all selections and odds are correct, then submit your wager.

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