What do Senegal need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts from Group I? | OneFootball

Senegal have played two and lost two at the 2026 World Cup, but their hopes of reaching the knockout stage have not yet been dashed entirely.

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 players ahead of their second game, a loss to Norway (Reuters)

Next for Senegal, however, is a match with Iraq, which should be an easier prospect.

Like Senegal, Iraq lost to France and Norway, with Mbappe recording his second double in a 3-0 win, after Haaland likewise scored a brace in a 4-1 victory.

As a result of those outcomes, France and Norway have already qualified for the knockout stage, and their tie will determine the Group I winners.

Meanwhile, Senegal and Iraq enter their clash on zero points apiece, though a win for either might get them through to the knockouts as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

It is as simple as that for Senegal and Iraq; nothing but a win will do – and even then they would have to wait on results elsewhere, to see if three points would be enough to carry them through.

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.

So far, Groups A, B, C, D, E and F have wrapped up, with the third-placed teams confirmed as: South Korea (3 points; -1 goal difference); Bosnia and Herzegovina (4 points, -1 GD); Scotland (3 points, -3 GD); Paraguay (4 points, -2 GD); Ecuador (4 points, 0 GD); Sweden (4 points, 0 GD).