馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Senegal's Lions take a stroll in Toronto ahead of crucial Iraq match
via SeneNews1 min read
Hours before their decisive match against Iraq, Senegal's Lions took a walk in Toronto. This pre-match stroll, a team ritual, aims to strengthen cohesion and mentally prepare the players for a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier. The team, led by Pape Thiaw, enjoyed a relaxed yet focused atmosphere during this moment of calm before the intensity of the championship. Senegal will play Iraq on Friday, June 26, at 7:00 PM GMT. Following two consecutive defeats, the Lions must win and hope for favorable results in other matches to continue their World Cup 2026 journey. This game is a final for the African champions, who are determined to keep their qualification dream alive.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Iraq's coach, Graham Arnold, has announced the team's starting lineup for their 2026 World Cup match against Senegal. The game, part of the third day of Group 9, will take place this Friday in Toronto. The Iraqi team's composition includes Ahmed Basil as goalkeeper; Rebin Solaka, Akam Hashim, Mirhas Doski, and Frans Boutros in defense; Ibrahim Baish, Zidane Iqbal, and Amir Al-Amari in midfield; and Ali Al-Hammadi, Ahmed Qasim, and Ali Jassim in attack. This marks Iraq's second World Cup appearance, following their participation in 1986. Senegal is making its fourth appearance, having reached the quarterfinals in 2002 and the round of 16 in 2022. The match is a decisive encounter in the group stage.
Lamine Camara, a midfielder for the Lions, is uncertain to play in Senegal's crucial match against Iraq after sustaining an injury during the warm-up. The technical staff, led by Pape Thiaw, is preparing to revise the starting lineup to address this unexpected situation. Camara was initially slated to start the decisive game, but his injury just minutes before kickoff means the team will likely need to modify its composition. The player who will replace him will be officially announced by the technical management.
Senegal's national team, led by coach Pape Thiaw, is set to play a decisive World Cup qualifying match against Iraq in Toronto. Following two consecutive losses to France 3-1 and Norway 3-2, the team is under pressure to secure a win. Thiaw has made significant changes to the starting lineup, aiming to revitalize the Lions' qualification hopes. Yehvann Diouf will start as goalkeeper, marking his first appearance in the competition, due to 脡douard Mendy's absence. The defense will feature Ismail Jakobs, Moussa Niakhat茅, Abdoulaye Seck, and Kr茅pin Diatta, a configuration designed to improve solidity after six goals were conceded in the previous two matches. In midfield, Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gana Gu猫ye, and Habib Diarra are tasked with balancing recovery and offensive play, combining experience with youth to control the game's tempo. The attacking trio will consist of Sadio Man茅, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Isma茂la Sarr, with Sarr repositioned to a more central role. This offensive unit is expected to regain effectiveness, a weakness for the Lions despite creating chances. Pape Thiaw previously stated his intention to make the "best choices" to re-energize his team. This match against Iraq is seen as a turning point, especially since Iraq is also in a difficult position. Senegal not only needs to win but also improve its goal difference, which could be crucial for qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. The game is anticipated to be a critical encounter, marked by pressure, t