Preparations for the 2026 World Cup are gathering pace among Senegal Group I opponents, with France, Norway and Iraq all scheduling friendly matches against African opposition as part of their build-up to the tournament.
Senegal, who will open their campaign on 16 June, are set to face France, Norway and Iraq in the group stage, but each of those teams is also using African opponents as key tests before the competition begins.
The pattern highlights a shared focus among the group’s teams on measuring themselves against African sides ahead of a tournament that will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iraq, returning to the World Cup after a 40-year absence, have structured their preparations in two phases.
According to DS Sports, they will first play Andorra on 29 May and Spain on 4 June in fixtures staged in Spain.
They will then travel to the United States, where they are scheduled to face Ivory Coast on 8 June in Chicago.
The match will be the first-ever meeting between Iraq and the African champions, marking a significant step in their preparation programme.
France have also opted for African opposition at the start of their build-up.
Les Bleus are set to face Ivory Coast on 4 June in Nantes before taking on Northern Ireland on 8 June in Lille.
The decision adds another layer of interest to Group I, with Senegal set to meet France in their opening group match on 16 June.
Norway have followed a similar path. Before facing Senegal on 23 June, they will play Sweden on 1 June in Oslo in a Scandinavian derby.
They will then take on Morocco on 7 June in Harrison, New Jersey, further underlining the trend of European sides seeking African opposition before the tournament begins.
The fixtures mean that all of Senegal’s Group I opponents will face an African team during their preparation schedules, creating a notable parallel in their build-up strategies.
On Senegal’s side, head coach Pape Thiaw has confirmed his team’s own preparation programme.
The Lions of Teranga will also travel to the United States for two friendly matches.
They are set to face the United States on 31 May in Charlotte before taking on Saudi Arabia on 9 June.
Senegal will begin their World Cup campaign against France on 16 June, before playing Norway on 23 June and concluding the group stage against Iraq on 26 June.
