Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has unveiled a strong 28-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that the Teranga Lions have “big dreams” of achieving success at the tournament.
The squad features experienced stars including Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who returns despite being sidelined since April with a thigh injury.
Read Also: Inside 2026 World Cup: $11000 tickets and missing giants
Emerging talents such as Lamine Camara, Ibrahima Mbaye and Bayern Munich midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye were also included, while striker Bamba Dieng earned a recall following an impressive finish to the season with Lorient.
“It’s a balanced and well-thought-out group to meet the demands of this World Cup, which is an intense competition,” Thiaw said during his press conference.
Read Also: World Cup 2026: Six favourites to win football’s biggest prize
Senegal will open their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Kylian Mbappe’s France in New Jersey. Group I also features Norway and Iraq.
The clash against France revives memories of the famous 2002 World Cup opener, where Senegal stunned the defending champions and eventually reached the quarter-finals in their tournament debut.
“Senegal have three opponents. Why focus only on France?” Thiaw said.
“We have a historical connection with France, but for me it is not a special match. Norway and Iraq are also important.”
Senegal’s preparations come after a turbulent start to the year following the Africa Cup of Nations final controversy against Morocco.
Although Senegal initially celebrated victory, CAF later awarded the title to Morocco after ruling that Senegalese players and officials improperly left the pitch following a late penalty decision in Rabat.
The Senegalese Football Federation has since appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Senegal World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers:
Edouard Mendy, Mory Diaw, Yehvann Diouf
Defenders:
Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdoulaye Seck, Moussa Niakhate, Ismail Jakobs, Mamadou Sarr, Antoine Mendy, Ilay Camara, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Krepin Diatta, Moustapha Mbow
Midfielders:
Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Pathe Ciss, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Habib Diarra, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye
Forwards:
Sadio Mane, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaïla Sarr, Cherif Ndiaye, Cheikh Sabaly, Ibrahima Mbaye, Assane Diao
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
