This Group I Senegal vs Iraq match is one between the teams who have lost both of their games so far at the 2026 World Cup. Harsh on Senegal, who re-tournament were one of Africa’s great hopes, but a tough draw has put them in a position where they must win then hope for other results to progress to the knockout stage. They are capable of competing with the bigger teams as shown so far, and should be very capable of adding to Iraq’s woes at this World Cup, but the pressure will be on them. They need to win and win big essentially. 

Senegal vs Iraq Preview

STATS SUMMARY

RATINGS

The Gurgler’s in-house Ratings system chooses the winner. Using H2H history, World Cup performance history, World Cup qualifying, the last four years of international games, performance against the confederation, and current effort at this World Cup.

Ratings say an easy win for Senegal, they need it.

BARELY INTERESTING STATS

Senegal are unbeaten v Asian nations at the World Cup – W1 D1.

Iraq are yet to win a World Cup game at five attempts.

Senegal are unbeaten in their last 6 games v Asian nations W2 D4.

Iraq’s last eight games v Africa nations have followed a sequence – WWWL WWWL

Iraq have the lowest Shots on Target per game at hits World Cup – 0.5 per game.

MATCH PREDICTION

Senegal 4 Iraq 0

AI MATCH PREDICTION

Since AI is all the rage, and a management buzzword of the highest order, we have decided to dip a few toes into AI pond.

We asked AI to come up with a winner and score based on the following:

• 2026 FIFA World Cup form so far,
• last four years on international matches,
• overall FIFA World Cup history,
• value of the playing squad,
• relative strength of each team’s mascot,
• military success of country over the past 100 years,
• popularity and sales of each teams playing shirt,
• strength of fan noise,
• beer consumption.

AI MATCH RESULT AND WHY

Here’s what our AI friend had to say……