Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Group I's third match features Senegal (Pot 2) against Iraq (Pot 4) in a crucial encounter. Senegal makes their third consecutive World Cup appearance following 2018 and 2022, aiming to advance from the group as Africa's representative. Iraq returns to the World Cup stage after a 40-year absence since Mexico 1986, seeking to prove themselves as Asian Cup champions.
- Senegal deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sadio Mané (34, Al-Nassr, 127 caps, 55 goals) orchestrating attacks from the left wing, while Ismaïla Sarr (28, Crystal Palace, 82 caps, 19 goals) operates on the right. The promising 18-year-old Ibrahim Ndiaye from PSG (10 caps, 3 goals) leads the line, supported by Lamine Camara (22, Monaco, 32 caps, 7 goals) providing creative spark in midfield.
- Iraq counters with a 4-1-4-1 setup featuring England-raised Ali Al-Hammadi (24, Luton Town, 17 caps, 5 goals) as the lone striker. The midfield showcases Manchester United academy product Zidane Iqbal (23, FC Utrecht, 23 caps, 2 goals) alongside 2023 Arabian Gulf Cup MVP Ibrahim Bayesh (26, Al-Dhafra, 74 caps, 8 goals), utilizing their European experience as the tactical foundation.
- Senegal's midfield anchors around veteran Idrissa Gueye (36, Everton, 130 caps), partnered with 22-year-old Habib Diarra from Sunderland to balance defensive solidity with attacking thrust. The bench features captain Kalidou Koulibaly (35, Al-Hilal, 102 caps) and Nicolas Jackson (25, Bayern Munich, 32 caps, 8 goals), providing world-class depth for tactical adjustments.
- Iraq's defensive structure relies on Swedish-born midfielder Amir Al-Ammari (28, Cracovia, 49 caps) as the sole holding midfielder, while 22-year-old Ali Jasim from Como (35 caps, 2 goals) adds attacking flair. The bench includes prolific striker Ayman Hussein (30, Al-Karma), Iraq's talisman with 93 caps and 33 goals, ready to impact the game as a super-sub.
- Playing in Toronto, Canada, this match sees Senegal fielding their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winning core of Mané, Gueye, Koulibaly, and Krépin Diatta, building on their 2022 World Cup Round of 16 experience. Iraq features numerous dual-nationality players from across Europe, seeking their first World Cup victory in 40 years at football's grandest stage.