A surprise participant at the 2026 World Cup, Iraq will face France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I. But before the global tournament, the Lions of Mesopotamia will also meet another African World Cup qualifier in a friendly match, according to our information: Côte d’Ivoire.

The Ivorian national team has now finalized its friendly matches scheduled for June, ahead of the World Cup finals (June 11 – July 19), where they will face Ecuador (June 14 in Philadelphia), Germany (June 20 in Toronto), and Curaçao (June 25 in Philadelphia) in the group stage.

After impressive victories in March against South Korea (4–0) and Scotland (1–0), the 2024 African champions will first face France on June 4 in Nantes, a match already confirmed by both federations. This will be followed by a game against Iraq on June 8 in Chicago, according to Iraqi sources cited by Afrik-Foot.

First-ever meeting between Côte d’Ivoire and Iraq

This match will mark the first-ever encounter between Côte d’Ivoire and Iraq. The Lions of Mesopotamia are returning to the World Cup for the first time since their only previous appearance in 1986 in Mexico.

According to the same sources, Iraq will begin its preparation schedule with a friendly against Andorra on May 29 in Spain, followed by a high-profile match against Spain on June 4, also in Spain.

Senegal and other Group I preparations

In Group I, Iraq will be Senegal’s final opponent on June 26. To prepare for the tournament, Senegal, coached by Pape Thiaw, has scheduled two friendlies: one against the United States on May 31 in Charlotte, and another against Saudi Arabia a few days later, also in the United States.

France will also face Northern Ireland on June 8 in Lille. Norway’s preparation includes a Scandinavian derby against Sweden on June 1 in Oslo, followed by a match against Morocco on June 7 in Harrison, New Jersey.

In other words, all of Senegal’s World Cup opponents will face an African nation in their preparation matches ahead of the tournament.