Iraq starting lineup vs Senegal confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026 match

The Lions of Mesopotamia remain bottom of the group with no points.

Iraq take on Senegal in their final Group I clash in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto on June 26. With no points from their first two matches, the Asian powerhouse need a big win in their final matchday to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The Lions of Mesopotamia ended their 40-year exile from the World Cup by qualifying for this year’s expanded 48-team edition. They began their campaign with a demoralising 4-1 loss to Norway. Aymen Hussein briefly cancelled Erling Haaland’s opener, but the Manchester City striker scored again soon after, with Leo Ostigard also finding the back of the net.

Graham Arnold’s men then suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of France. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, and Ousmane Dembele netted the third, condemning the Asian side to their second loss.

They now face Senegal in a crucial test to keep themselves in contention to progress to the Round of 32 stage. Both sides have zero points to their tally, and only a win can help them finish among the eight best third-placed sides to qualify.

Also Read: Senegal vs Iraq: Five key battles to watch in FIFA World Cup 2026

Let’s look at the Iraq confirmed lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Senegal:

Iraq (4-1-2-3): Ahmed Basil; Frans Purtos, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashem, Merchas Doski; Amir Al-Ammari; Zidane Iqbal, Ibrahim Bayesh (c); Ahmed Qasem, Ali Al Hamadi, Ali Jasim.

Substitutes: Jalal Hassan (gk), Fahad Talib (gk), Hussein Ali, Mohanad Ali, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji, Aymen Hussein, Zaid Ismaeel, Ahmed Maknzi, Mustafa Saadoon, Aimar Sher, Zaid Tahseen, Kevin Yakob, Manaf Younis, Ali Yousif.

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 🇮🇶🇸🇳تشكيلة منتخبنا الوطني لمواجهة السنغال ضمن الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات في كأس العالم 2026.Iraq National Team starting XI for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage match against Senegal.#SENIRQ #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ofW9vySkh9

— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) June 26, 2026

Thoughts on the lineup

Arnold’s side suffered a big blow when legendary forward Aymen Hussein was substituted in the last match with a suspected hamstring injury. In his absence, Luton Town forward Ali Al Hamadi starts as the centre-forward, preferred over Mohanad Ali.

Ahmed Qasem, who plays in MLS with Nashville SC, starts on the right flank, with Ali Jasim shifting to the left. With goals being a necessity for the Lions of Mesopotamia, Arnold will ask Zidane Iqbal and captain Ibrahim Bayesh to play in a more advanced role.

Amir Al-Ammari starts in a more defensive position in the middle of the park, shielding the backline of Rebin Sulaka and Akam Hashem. Frans Putros and Merchas Doski start as full-backs. Ahmed Basil starts between the sticks.

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