Senegal are ranked 14th in the FIFA rankings, with a total squad value of more than €470 million. Twenty players are based in Europe's top five leagues, and the attack led by Mané, Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr has all the tools to break through. Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the back line, making them one of Africa's top powerhouse teams. Although they lost to France and Norway in the first two rounds, they managed to score in both matches, with reliable goals coming from wing play and set pieces.
Iraq are ranked 57th in the FIFA rankings, with a squad worth just €21 million. Most of their players compete in domestic leagues across West Asia, leaving a massive gap in overall strength. After two straight defeats in the opening rounds, they have conceded seven goals and scored only one, with a huge goal-difference deficit. Their chances of advancing are basically gone, and they are now playing only for pride.
The overwhelming tactical advantage is the key factor here. Senegal primarily use a 4-3-3 system, focusing on high pressing and rapid attacks down the flanks. Continuous advances from both wings can repeatedly stretch Iraq's five-man back line, while overloads in the half-spaces and late runs through the middle create varied attacking patterns. They are capable of scoring consistently both in positional attacks and in transition. Iraq, meanwhile, stick to a deep 5-4-1 block, retreating almost entirely and giving up midfield possession, relying only on occasional counterattacks and set pieces for threat. Their biggest defensive weakness is a sharp drop in stamina after the 60-minute mark, which leaves them vulnerable in lateral coverage. Faced with sustained wing pressure, their error rate is likely to rise significantly. This is exactly the window Senegal can use to open up the scoreline.