Is Sadio Mane playing? Senegal vs Iraq projected lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group I game

Sadio Mane is completely fit and will spearhead Senegal’s attack today. As the Teranga Lions prepare to step onto the pitch at BMO Field in Toronto for their final 2026 World Cup Group I match, the Al-Nassr forward remains the undisputed technical and emotional leader of the squad.

The stakes for this Matchday 3 fixture are intensely complex. Following consecutive defeats to France (3-1) and Norway (3-2), both Senegal and Iraq have technically been eliminated from automatic progression via the top two spots. However, with the tournament format accommodating the best third-place finishers, Senegal must chase a massive win to repair their goal difference (-3) and keep their faint knockout hopes alive.

For Iraq, currently sitting at the bottom with a -6 goal difference, the objective centers on securing a historic first-ever World Cup victory.

Senegal projected lineup

Coach Pape Thiaw faces a forced change in goal. Regular shot-stopper Édouard Mendy suffered a severe knee injury during the second half against Norway and has been officially ruled out of the tournament.

Le Havre’s Mory Diaw is projected to step in between the posts. The backline remains anchored by the veteran presence of Kalidou Koulibaly alongside Moussa Niakhaté, flanked by Krépin Diatta and El Hadji Malick Diouf. In midfield, the experienced Idrissa Gana Gueye will marshal the center alongside Lamine Camara and Pape Alassane Gueye.

Up front, Nicolas Jackson takes the central striking role, flanked by the dynamic Ismaïla Sarr, and Mané on the left.

Senegal Projected XI (4-3-3): Mory Diaw; Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Alassane Gueye; Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané.

Iraq projected lineup

Graham Arnold will set up his side to maintain rigid defensive organization while hunting transitions. The primary injury concern surrounds talismanic forward Aymen Hussein, who is managing a heavy muscle strain. If he cannot pass a late fitness test, AFC Wimbledon’s Ali Al-Hamadi is primed to take the central attacking role.

Ahmed Basil protects the net behind a back four featuring Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, and Merchas Doski. The tactical framework relies heavily on a double pivot of Zaid Ismail and Amir Al-Ammari to shield the defense.

Further forward, Zidane Iqbal will pulls the creative strings from the number ten role, flanked by the industrial pace of Ahmed Qasem and Ibrahim Bayesh out wide.

Iraq Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Ahmed Basil; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski; Zaid Ismail, Amir Al-Ammari; Ahmed Qasem, Zidane Iqbal, Ibrahim Bayesh; Ali Al-Hamadi.