2026 World Cup: Senegal vs. Iraq, Probable Lineups

Senegal and Iraq will face off at 9 p.m. on Friday in Toronto in a match for the third matchday of Group I of the 2026 World Cup. Both teams have lost their first two matches against France and Norway and are on the brink of elimination: whoever wins will need to do so by as large a margin as possible to still have a chance of advancing to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-place finishers.

Hopes are slim for both: the Lions of Teranga arrived at the tournament with great enthusiasm, but their first two matches have been a disappointment. The Sarr-Jackson-Mané attacking trio, which has yet to score, has been confirmed; in midfield, Camara, Gana Gueye, and Gueye will start. Koulibaly is expected to start in defense again, even though the former Napoli player looked out of sorts against Norway.

Iraq, on the other hand, will be forced to do without its best striker, Hussein, who is out with an injury sustained against France. The front three will consist of Qasem, Al-Hamadi, and Bayesh, while the two fullbacks will be Ali and Doski.

Senegal vs. Iraq: Probable Lineups
SENEGAL (4-3-3): Diaw; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Diouf; Camara, I. Gana Gueye, P. Gueye; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mané.
IRAQ (4-3-3): Basil; Ali, Tahseen, Hashem, Doski; Ismail, Al-Ammari, Iqbal; Qasem, Al-Hamadi, Bayesh.