Senegal's Mendy ruled out of Iraq World Cup qualifier with knee injury

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Senegal will be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for Friday's 2026 World Cup group-stage match against Iraq in Toronto after the Al-Ahli keeper suffered a left knee injury against Norway, the Senegalese Football Federation said. The federation said further examinations are under way to determine the severity of the injury. Mendy, Senegal's first-choice goalkeeper, was forced off in the 62nd minute of Senegal's 3-2 loss to Norway. His absence leaves the African side short in goal ahead of the decisive Group F fixture against Iraq. The Iraq national team arrived in Canada on Wednesday to prepare for the match, which kicks off at 23:00 GMT. A victory is considered essential for Iraq to keep alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage, having lost 4-1 to Norway and 3-0 to France. Senegal sits in the same position after identical defeats to France and Norway. Coach Jesus Cano has limited attacking options, with injured duo Aymen Hussein and Muhanned Ali unavailable, and is expected to deploy Ali Hammadi and Ali Yusuf in attack. The Iraq squad is expected to draw morale from Canada's large Iraqi diaspora ahead of the match.