Sélection du Sénégal pour le Mondial-2026: Koulibaly, Mané et Gana Gueye convoqués
The Senegalese national team has revealed its 28-player roster for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The squad features prominent figures like Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly, with the latter included despite a recent injury. Head coach Pape Thiaw expresses profound ambition, anticipating a challenging tournament against formidable opponents, including a highly anticipated clash with France.
Senegal is poised to “dream big” and aims to “achieve many things” at this summer’s World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across North America (Canada, United States, Mexico). This declaration came from the coach of the Lions of Teranga, Pape Thiaw, as he unveiled an expanded 28-man squad on Thursday.
Coach Thiaw has also placed his trust in a cohort of promising young talents. This includes Lamine Camara (Monaco), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahima Mbaye (PSG), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich), and forward Bamba Dieng, whose strong finish to the season with Lorient earned him a spot.
“This is a balanced and thoughtfully constructed group, designed to meet the rigorous demands of this intense World Cup competition,” Thiaw stated during a press conference.
Senegal’s group and opponents
Senegal finds itself in Group I, alongside powerful national teams from France, Norway, and Iraq.
The Lions of Teranga will kick off their campaign on June 16 against Kylian Mbappé’s French squad.
These two nations previously met in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, a memorable encounter that Senegal famously won.
“Senegal has three opponents. Why should we solely focus on France?” Thiaw questioned, emphasizing a broader perspective.
“Norway and Iraq are also significant adversaries. While we share a historical connection with France, for me, this is not a uniquely particular match,” the Lions’ coach added, underscoring his team’s unified approach to all group stage games.
Composition of the Senegalese team
Goalkeepers (3): Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahly/RSA), Mory Diaw (Le Havre/FRA), Yehvann Diouf (Nice/FRA)
Defenders (9): Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal/RSA), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon/FRA), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray/TUR), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg/FRA), Antoine Mendy (Nice/FRA), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht/BEL), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham/ENG), Krépin Diatta (Monaco/FRA), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC/FRA)
Midfielders (6): Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton/ENG), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham/ENG), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Pape Gueye (Villarreal/ESP), Lamine Camara (Monaco/FRA), Habib Diarra (Sunderland/ENG), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich/GER)
Forwards (10): Sadio Mané (Al Nassr/RSA), Bamba Dieng (Lorient/FRA), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich/GER), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton/ENG), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace/ENG), Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor/TUR), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz/FRA), Ibrahima Mbaye (Paris SG/FRA), Assane Diao (Como/ITA)
