World Cup
2026-06-26 - Senegal vs Iraq
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : World: FIFA World Cup - Group I
Venue: BMO Field
Friday 26th June 2026, 1400hrs (local)
Senegal
Senegal find themselves joint-bottom of the Group I table having slipped to defeats in their opening two games of the group stage to France 3-1 followed by Norway 3-2 with only a superior goal difference over Iraq being the difference between these two nations ahead of Friday afternoon’s clash (local time).
However, despite the two losses, it is nevertheless encouraging for Senegal that they have scored against both France and Norway and this upcoming encounter should at least see the Lions of Teranga hit the back of the net once again to give them a real chance of picking up a valuable three points.
With just two wins in their last seven internationals though, Senegal know they must produce a much better performance in this final game of the group.
Fast Fact : At the 2022 World Cup, Senegal defeated Qatar and Ecuador to reach the Round of 16.
Iraq
Iraq have also suffered losses in their opening two games in Group I but Graham Arnold’s side’s situation looks more dire than their upcoming opponents having shipped a total of seven goals and scoring just once so far in this tournament.
The Iraqi’s had to play out an inter-continental play-off against South American nation Bolivia to even reach the World Cup finals but since that historic victory, the Lions of Mesopotamia have managed just one further victory in their subsequent five matches which came in the shape of a narrow 1-0 win against European minnows, Andorra.
Having slipped to three defeats thereafter including a 2-0 loss to Venezuela in a warm-up game prior to this tournament, the omens do not look good for Iraq here.
Fast Fact : Iraqi midfielder Bassim Qasim received a yellow card after only a few seconds against Paraguay in 1986 and for many years it stood as one of the fastest bookings ever recorded in World Cup history.
The Betting Verdict
Senegal look the better equipped to find the back of the net in this basement clash in Group I in what could be a low-scoring affair.
The Pick :
Senegal 1-0 Iraq
