Have Senegal qualified for knockouts of FIFA World Cup 2026?
(Courtesy : Getty)
The Lions of Teranga finished third in Group I with three points.
Senegal sealed a dominant 5-0 win over Iraq in their last Group I clash in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, on June 26. Pape Gueye scored a stunning brace, with Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, and Iliman Ndiaye also finding the back of the net.
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra gave his side the lead in just the fourth minute, heading in from a corner kick. Iraq then went down to ten men after Rebin Sulaka was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead soon after the restart, capitalising on a defensive error from Zidane Iqbal. Pape Gueye then scored twice in 12 minutes to put the African giants in complete control of the match. Iliman Ndiaye added a fifth goal moments after coming on as a substitute.
The result marked the first time that an African side ever scored five goals in the quadrennial tournament. The Lions of Teranga finished the group stage with eight goals – a record for any African team in World Cup history.
It was also the first time that three players from a team scored and assisted in a single World Cup match since Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil in the 2014 edition.
Despite the record-shattering victory, which was the first for Pepe Thiaw’s side in the expanded 48-team tournament in North America, the Lions of Teranga remained in third spot in Group I with three points.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I final standings: Who qualified for Round of 32 & who is out?
Are Senegal through to Round of 32?
Unfortunately, not yet. According to FIFA, three teams have already secured a spot in the Round of 32 stage. Those teams are Sweden, Ecuador, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – all of them with four points. Paraguay also has four points, though they have not been confirmed as one of the eight best third-placed teams yet.
As things stand, Senegal have the best record – goal difference, goals scored, and disciplinary conduct – among all the third-placed sides with three points. Despite it not being mathematically confirmed, the African giants are well-placed to qualify for the knockouts – but they will need to wait until the group stage is complete to be certain.
Have Senegal qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
Not yet. Senegal finished third in Group I with 3 points and must wait to see if they are among the eight best third‑placed teams.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.