World Cup 2026: Senegal Squad, Fixtures and Key Players

Thiaw announce Senegal squad for 2026 World Cup

Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane headlines Senegal’s provisional World Cup squad named by coach Pape Thiaw ahead of the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Senegal will open their World Cup campaign against France in a repeat of the 2002 clash, with Norway and Iraq also in Group I...

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw named a 28-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday, with Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane leading the list. The experienced attacker will be eager to make up for missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar due to injury.

Thiaw must reduce the squad by two players before the final submission deadline later this month.

Mane remains a key figure in a Senegal squad packed with talent. The team looks set to be the strongest of Africa’s 10 qualifiers for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, combining experienced players with young, athletic options.

The 34-year-old Al Nassr forward is expected to lead the attack. He is joined by Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr.

Bayern’s 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye has earned a call-up, while Malang Sarr misses out despite an impressive season with Lens.

Everton’s Idrissa Gueye is included even after missing the end of the season through injury. Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr add further depth in midfield.

Experienced defender Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy have also been selected.

Senegal were the strongest side at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They beat the hosts 1-0 in a controversial final that was later awarded to the North Africans, and the case is now with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

At the World Cup, Senegal are in Group I and will start against France on June 16 in New Jersey. The match is a repeat of their famous 2002 meeting, when Senegal defeated the defending champions.

They also face Norway at the same venue on June 22, and Iraq in Toronto on June 26.

Senegal reached the quarterfinals in 2002 before losing to Turkey, which remains their best World Cup result. For many of their so-called Golden Generation, including Mane, this will likely be the last chance to go further.

They exited in the group stage after a drawing of lots in 2018, and were knocked out in the round of 16 four years ago.

La liste des 28 Lions, choisis parmi des millions de Sénégalais, investis de l’honneur suprême de défendre nos couleurs sur la plus grande scène du football mondial : la Coupe du Monde.#FIFAWC2026 #ListeGaindeyi #DemBaJeex pic.twitter.com/1SZHXAz6Za

— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) May 21, 2026

SENEGAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: ‌Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre)

Defenders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Bara Ndiaye (Bayern ⁠Munich)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Iliman ⁠Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Assane ‌Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris St-Germain), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)