SenegalvsIraq

Senegal ran out comfortable winners over Iraq 5–0. Goalscorers — Senegal: H. Diarra 4', I. Sarr 56', P. Gueye 59', P. Gueye 71', I. Ndiaye 82'.

Senegal met Iraq in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston on Friday, June 26, 2026. It is one of the six matches in Group I, where the four sides each play three games and the top two advance directly to the Round of 32. With the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also progressing, points here carry real weight from the opening whistle.

Senegal go in ranked 14th in the FIFA World Ranking to Iraq's 57th — a gap of 43 places that marks Senegal out as clear favourites on paper. It is an inter-confederation meeting — Senegal of CAF against Iraq of AFC — the kind of contrast in styles the World Cup exists to stage.

Senegal enter the 2026 World Cup as the reigning African champions and one of the strongest teams the continent has ever produced. The Lions of Teranga won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, defeating Egypt on penalties in the final, and claimed a second AFCON title in 2025, cementing their status as Africa's dominant force.

Iraq are a team whose footballing achievements are remarkable given the decades of conflict and instability the nation has endured. The Lions of Mesopotamia won the 2007 Asian Cup in one of the most extraordinary sporting stories ever told, uniting a war-torn nation through football.

Senegal: Senegal's most memorable World Cup appearance was their debut in 2002, when they stunned defending champions France 1-0 in the opening match and reached the quarterfinals. Iraq: Iraq have appeared at one World Cup, in 1986 in Mexico, where they were eliminated in the group stage after losses to Paraguay, Belgium, and a draw with Mexico.

The match is scheduled at Houston Stadium in Houston, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2026 at 07:00 PM (03:00 PM ET).