- Senegal form: Senegal are third in Group I with zero points after one game, losing 3-1 away to France.
- Iraq form: Iraq are fourth with zero points, losing 4-1 at home to Norway.
Two sides desperate for a first points in Group I
Match context
Senegal face Iraq in a crucial FIFA World Cup Group I game at Toronto Stadium in Canada on Friday with both teams seeking their first points after opening defeats. Iraq, the Iraqi team, will look to frustrate a more skilled Senegal team.
Tactical battle
Pape Thiaw has certainly done that since taking over as head coach of The Lions of Teranga in October 2024, establishing a mobile 4-3-3 system that presses opponents high, transitions quickly and dominates physically at the back. Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has implemented a compact, defense-first approach since taking the reigns in May 2025, setting up a interesting tactical clash between a side that plays a high-risk, high-octane style and a team that are much more pragmatic.
Senegal have the star quality to find a way through
Iraq will look to lock up the game in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation and come out on counters to disrupt Senegal's rhythm. But, while the African champions are not the sort of side to play to the pace of the game when behind, they have the squad depth, star quality in attack and the goal threat to grind it out if they need to.
- Ibrahim Mbaye is the current group top scorer with one goal in one game and should be the most clinical finisher for Senegal on Friday.
- Iliman Ndiaye provided the assist for his goal and was a constant threat to the French defense in Senegal's opener, offering the spark that can change the course of games from his central position.
- Ayman Hussein offers that sort of flair for Iraq, scoring their only goal in Group I so far and two of their last five.
- Amir Al-Ammari is the playmaker in midfield and provided Iraq's only assist in Group I.
Al-Ajeez have been solid on the road
Iraq's first World Cup appearance since 1986 has been tough and, understandably, they have folded under the pressure of the occasion. They were beaten 2-0 at home by Venezuela in a friendly last year and lost 4-1 in their Group I opener against Norway.
They have one win and one draw in their last two away games, though, so there is a bit of away form for them to draw upon.
The bookmakers rate this an easy win for Senegal, at 1.31, with Iraq at 8.25 and the draw at 5.1. The odds on both teams not to score are certainly worth a bet, though, at 1.53 while we're also having under 2.5 goals at 1.99 because Senegal have to get it right at some stage and Iraq will be better when they come out of the gate.
