Senegal have salvaged their hopes of progressing at the 2026 World Cup, but a place in the knockout stage has not yet been secured just yet.
It’s been a tough few months for the African side, who were stripped of their Afcon title off the pitch before entering this World Cup, where France and Norway represented their opening challenges.
Despite a valiant start against France, Senegal were ultimately beaten 3-1 as Kylian Mbappe got up and running with two goals, before Erling Haaland did the same for Norway in a 3-2 win on the second gameday.
Senegal, however, bounced back in style with a 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq, with goals from Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, two from Pape Gueye and another from Iliman Ndiaye. It completed a miserable tournament for Iraq, who had already lost heavily to France and Norway.
It means Senegal have finished Group I on three points and with a goal difference of +2, which might get them through to the knockouts as one of the eight best third-placed teams. The top eight third place finishers will be decided on which teams have accumulated the most points. Should eight or more nations finish third with the same number of points, the nations who progress will then be determined by goal difference.
As it stands, Senegal will be dependent on the final results from Group H, Group G, Group L, Group K and Group J - which will all conclude over the next couple of days. Senegal are already guaranteed to finish ahead of Scotland (Group C) and South Korea (Group A). Victory for Spain against Uruguay in Group H would move them one step closer. A win for Egypt against Iran and anything other than a win for New Zealand against Belgium would then secure Senegal’s place in the next round.
Here is how the third-placed sides currently stand:
