Soccer Preview: Senegal vs. Iraq DAKAR, Senegal (Interstat) — Senegal will host Iraq on Friday, June 26, in a World Cup match at a venue to be announced, with the Lions of Teranga aiming to rebound from a narrow loss while Iraq seeks to shake off a recent rout. Senegal enters the game after a 3-2 defeat at Portugal on Monday, June 22, a result that ended a three-match winning streak. The Lions had previously beaten Morocco 1-0 on Jan. 18, Egypt 1-0 on Jan. 14, and played to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo on Dec. 27, 2025. A 4-0 victory over Mauritania on Oct. 14 and a 5-0 win at South Sudan on Oct. 10 highlighted Senegal’s attacking depth earlier in the season. The team also posted back-to-back 3-2 wins at Congo DR on Sept. 9 and a 2-0 victory at Sudan on Sept. 5, followed by a 2-0 home shutout of Sudan the same day. A 3-1 loss at France on June 16, 2026, and the Portugal defeat are Senegal’s only losses in their last 10 matches. Iraq, meanwhile, is coming off a 3-0 loss at France on Monday, June 22, its third defeat in four games. The Lions of Mesopotamia fell 4-1 at home to Portugal on June 16 and lost 1-0 at home to Oman on Nov. 22, 2025. A 1-0 home win over Jordan on June 10, 2025, and a 2-0 victory at South Korea on June 5, 2025, are Iraq’s only wins in their last five matches. The team has struggled to score, netting just two goals in its last four games while conceding eight. The match is part of the World Cup qualifying or group stage schedule, though the specific phase is not confirmed. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-0 win for Senegal, reflecting the home side’s stronger recent form and Iraq’s offensive struggles. Senegal will likely rely on its defensive organization and counter-attacking speed, while Iraq must find a way to break down a back line that has kept four clean sheets in its last seven matches. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. local time.