Senegal vs Iraq - World Cup

Senegal prepare to host Iraq at the home ground on June 26, 2026, with both sides eager to assert their credentials and claim a result that could define their World Cup season. Chelsea vs Tottenham: Line-ups confirmed for pre-season clash in Sydney.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the World Cup contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Paulo Fonseca's men are still smarting from their Champions League play-off exit but now sit third in the table.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Senegal favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Iraq are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United 'are not proceeding' with a move for the Brighton midfielder.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Talks are progressing over Ayyoub Bouaddi Nico Gonzalez has become the latest Manchester City midfielder to commit his future to the club.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.