Senegal Thrash Iraq 5-0 to Move Into a Strong Best-Third Position

Senegal crushed Iraq 5-0 in their Group I finale at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, on June 26, 2026. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 4th minute, before Ismaila Sarr (56'), Pape Gueye with a brace (59', 71') and Iliman Ndiaye (82') added to the tally. Iraq played the second half a man down after Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute. For Senegal, who arrived on the brink after two straight losses, it was far more than a routine win — the margin lifted their goal difference, the key tiebreaker in the wildcard race.

Senegal's group-stage journey was a rollercoaster. They opened with a 1-3 defeat to France on June 16, then fell 2-3 to Norway on June 22, leaving them on two straight losses with qualification looking all but out of reach on their own terms. Yet in the finale they buried five goals past Iraq to flip the mood in an instant. A 5-0 rout coming straight after back-to-back defeats made the scoreline a story in itself.

France sealed top spot in Group I, beating Norway 4-1 in the final round to finish on 9 points (3W, +8). The defeat dropped Norway to second (6 points, 2W-1L, +1), but both still advance directly to the Round of 32 as the top two. The final Group I table reads: 1. France, 9 pts (+8); 2. Norway, 6 pts (+1); 3. Senegal, 3 pts (1W-2L, +2); 4. Iraq, 0 pts (-11). Iraq, bottom of the group with no points, are eliminated.

Third-placed Senegal's fate now rests on the best-third (wildcard) race, in which the eight best of the 12 third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. The ranking criteria are (1) points, (2) overall goal difference, (3) goals scored — making Senegal's +2, boosted by the 5-0 win, their key weapon. As things stand, Senegal sit inside the qualification places, holding the favorable position that just two more teams finishing below them would lock up a Round-of-32 berth. But the group stage is not over: Groups G and H finish today (June 26) and Groups J, K and L on June 27, so it is not a 100% mathematical lock. Sweden (F), Ecuador (E) and Bosnia (B) are already confirmed as third-placed sides. It is most accurate to view Senegal as very well placed rather than already through.

With Group I now settled, other groups are still finishing and the Round-of-32 bracket continues to take shape. Follow the latest standings, remaining permutations and the third-placed wildcard race on our live standings (/), scenarios (/scenarios) and best-third (/third-place) pages.