Iraq's 2026 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment on Friday as they suffered a 5-0 defeat to Senegal at Toronto Stadium, leaving them at the bottom of Group I with no points from three matches. The result capped a tournament in which Iraq conceded 12 goals and scored only one, with all three matches ending in heavy losses.
Early red card decisive
The match was effectively over within the first 15 minutes. Senegal took the lead in the fourth minute when Habib Diarra turned in Abdoulaye Seck's header. Then, on 14 minutes, Iraq's Rebin Sulaka was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity after bringing down Sadio Mane. This left Iraq with 10 men for over 75 minutes and gave Senegal a golden chance to improve their goal difference significantly.
Despite the early setback, Iraq held firm for the remainder of the first half. Senegal had chances, including a long-range effort from Ismail Jakobs that whistled past the post on 32 minutes, but Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil dealt well with aerial threats. The match entered nine minutes of first-half stoppage time, during which Mane shot high and wide, and Iraq managed to reach the break only one goal down.
Second-half collapse
The second half began with Senegal dominating possession, but Iraq defended with discipline initially. On 52 minutes, a rare Iraqi effort from Ali Jassem was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw. Soon after, substitute goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who replaced the injured Basil, saved a low shot from Ismaila Sarr to keep the score at 1-0.
However, the dam broke in the 55th minute when Zidane Iqbal's defensive error allowed Sarr to tap in from Lamine Camara's pass. Three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye scored a stunning left-footed strike to make it 3-0. After the hydration break, Gueye added another unstoppable shot, putting Senegal 4-0 ahead and vastly improving their goal difference.
On 75 minutes, Mane hit the crossbar with a delicate chip, sparing Iraq a fifth goal temporarily. But the fifth arrived in the 83rd minute, with Iliman Ndiaye scoring a powerful effort similar to Gueye's. Senegal continued to press for a sixth but were ultimately content with a five-goal victory.
Group standings and implications
The result leaves Senegal on three points with a goal difference of plus-2, placing them third in Group I. They must now wait for the conclusion of other group matches to see if they advance as one of the best third-placed teams. France and Norway had already secured the top two spots, with France topping the group after a 4-1 win over Norway on Friday.
Iraq, meanwhile, end their World Cup journey with three defeats, having lost 3-0 to France and 4-1 to Norway earlier in the group stage. According to Ali Khaled of Arab News, Iraq's campaign was marked by defensive lapses and an inability to compete at the highest level.
