{"id":1150,"date":"2026-05-30T12:09:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T12:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asianewscast.com\/2026\/05\/30\/senegals-world-cup-2026-team-preview-players-to-watch-group-squad-list\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T12:09:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T12:09:55","slug":"senegals-world-cup-2026-team-preview-players-to-watch-group-squad-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1150","title":{"rendered":"Senegal\u2019s World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group, squad list"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"rich-share\" data-testid=\"rich-share\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__divider\">\n<div class=\"listen-to-article\"><button class=\"listen-to-article__button\" data-testid=\"listen-to-article-button\"><title>Listen<\/title>Listen (7 mins)<\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-share__update-reading-list-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"update-reading-list\">\n<p class=\"update-reading-list__button-text\">Save<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-share__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__button-wrapper\"><button class=\"rich-share__button row\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click here to share on social media<\/div>\n<p><title>share-nodes<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-share__social-text\">Share<\/p>\n<div class=\"rich-share__links rich-share__links--row\" data-testid=\"share-links\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__social rich-share__social--row\"><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Faje.news%2Fb7vq4q\"><title>facebook<\/title><\/a><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=World%20Cup%20dark%20horses%3A%20Talented%20Senegal%20looking%20to%20%E2%80%98achieve%20great%20things%E2%80%99&amp;source=sharethiscom&amp;related=sharethis&amp;via=AJEnglish&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Faje.news%2Fb7vq4q\"><title>x<\/title><\/a><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row u-hidden--desktop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Whatsapp\" href=\"\/\/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Faje.news%2Fb7vq4q\"><title>whatsapp-stroke<\/title><\/a><a class=\"rich-share__social-link row copylink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Copy link\" href=\"https:\/\/aje.news\/b7vq4q\"><title>copylink<\/title><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"google-preferred-source\"><button class=\"google-preferred-source__button\" aria-label=\"Add Al Jazeera on Google\" data-testid=\"google-preferred-source-button\"><title>google<\/title><span class=\"google-preferred-source__text\">Add Al Jazeera on Google<\/span><\/button><button aria-label=\"See more of Al Jazeera\u2019s trusted journalism by adding us as a preferred source on Google.\" class=\"tooltip-accessible_trigger\"><title>info<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"article-featured-image\">\n<div class=\"responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/getty_6a184d5a98-1779977562.jpg?resize=770%2C513&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Sadio Mane of Senegal reacts during the International Friendly between Brazil and Senegal at Emirates Stadium on November 15, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse\/Getty Images)\"><\/div><figcaption>The 34-year-old Sadio Mane will be playing at his last World Cup [Ryan Pierse\/Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"article-info m--t-20 m--desktop-b-30 m--b-mobile-20\">\n<div class=\"byline byline--single-avatar\">\n<div class=\"avatars-container\"><a class=\"avatar\" aria-hidden=\"true\" href=\"\/author\/al_jazeera_staff_150119130629458\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2017-06-08T131939Z_1189275883_RC11B0FE7F20_RTRMADP_3_GULF-QATAR-JAZEERA-1714943623.jpg?resize=96%2C96&amp;quality=80\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-content\">\n<div class=\"contributors-list contributors-list--byline\"><span class=\"contributors-list__by-prefix\">By <\/span><a href=\"\/author\/al_jazeera_staff_150119130629458\">Al Jazeera Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-dates\">\n<div class=\"date-simple\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Published On 30 May 2026<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\">30 May 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p><strong>Previous World Cup appearances:<\/strong> 3<br \/>\n<strong>Best performance:<\/strong> Quarterfinals (2002)<br \/>\n<strong>First appearance:<\/strong> 2002 (South Korea and Japan)<br \/>\n<strong>Top goal scorer:<\/strong> Papa Bouba Diop (3)<br \/>\n<strong>Most appearances: <\/strong>Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly, Ismaila Sarr (7)<br \/>\n<strong>Player to watch:<\/strong> Sadio Mane<br \/>\n<strong>FIFA world ranking:<\/strong> 14<\/p>\n<p>In their first ever World Cup match in 2002, Senegal shocked the world by beating the defending champions France 1-0, and went on to top a tricky group that also included Denmark and Uruguay.<\/p>\n<section class=\"more-on\">\n<h2 class=\"more-on__heading\">Recommended Stories<!-- --> <\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list of 4 items<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"more-on__list\">\n<li class=\"more-on__article\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list 1 of 4<\/span><a class=\"more-on__link\" href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/28\/brazils-world-cup-2026-team-preview-players-to-watch-group-matches-squad\">World Cup contenders: Can \u2018underrated\u2019 Brazil end 24-year title drought?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"more-on__article\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list 2 of 4<\/span><a class=\"more-on__link\" href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/28\/ireland-football-coach-urges-players-to-win-this-war-against-israel\">Ireland football coach urges players to \u2018win this war\u2019 against Israel<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"more-on__article\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list 3 of 4<\/span><a class=\"more-on__link\" href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/28\/former-chelsea-boss-biesla-facing-world-cup-mutiny-with-uruguay\">Argentina\u2019s \u2018El Loco\u2019 faces Uruguay mutiny ahead of World Cup<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"more-on__article\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list 4 of 4<\/span><a class=\"more-on__link\" href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/28\/germany-urge-players-to-avoid-political-statements-at-world-cup\">Germany\u2019s Voeller urges players to avoid political statements at World Cup<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>The Lions of Teranga followed up that upset by knocking out Sweden in the last 16 and narrowly fell to Turkiye 1-0 in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly a quarter of a century on, Senegal arrive at their third consecutive World Cup as arguably \u2013 if not quite officially \u2013 the <a href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/27\/how-senegal-became-genuine-world-cup-2026-contenders-at-a-cost\">best side in Africa,<\/a> and potential outsiders to lift the trophy.<\/p>\n<p>Senegal were unbeaten in qualifying, and made a strong statement against England recently, becoming the first African side to beat the Three Lions winning 3-1 at Wembley last June.<\/p>\n<p>Their recent AFCON final against Morocco may have been <a href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/24\/senegal-football-fans-return-home-after-royal-pardon-in-morocco\">marred by farce<\/a> after they temporarily left the pitch in protest at a penalty, but there\u2019s no doubting their individual talent or strength as a unit.<\/p>\n<p>Senegal have \u201cbig dreams\u201d to \u201cachieve great things\u201d, coach Pape Thiaw said as he unveiled a <a href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/21\/sadio-mane-kalidou-koulibaly-star-picks-in-senegals-world-cup-squad\">28-man squad<\/a> earlier this month \u2013 which he will have to trim by two players before the tournament.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:block;position:relative;min-width:0px;max-width:770px\">\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mane-s-final-world-cup-act\">Mane\u2019s final World Cup act<\/h2>\n<p>Veteran forward and captain Sadio Mane, 34, is set to play in his last World Cup \u2013 he said he will retire from international football after the tournament. While age has eroded his once blistering pace, he remains no slouch and retains world class touch, vision and leadership to go with his experience.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container--ads in-article-ads\">\n<div class=\"ads\"><span class=\"ads__title\"> Advertisement <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mane was named AFCON player of the tournament in January after inspiring Senegal\u2019s run to the final, scoring a sensational goal in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Egypt before going on to lift the trophy.<\/p>\n<p>He also emerged with credit when some of his teammates and coaches embarrassed themselves as he refused to follow them by leaving the pitch and called them back on to finish the game.<\/p>\n<p>Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr, Mane scored a fairly mediocre return of 10 goals and six assists in the Saudi Pro League, but he did help his side win the title.<\/p>\n<p>Mane will be extra desperate to go out on a high after missing the last World Cup through injury while at the peak of his game.<\/p>\n<p>He is Senegal\u2019s all-time top scorer with 53 goals in 126 appearances, and will be looking to add several to that tally if Senegal are to mount a genuine challenge.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4608116\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4608116\" style=\"width:770px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4608116\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/getty_6a184aeb1b-1779976939.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C529&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 12: Sadio Mane of Al Nassr passes the ball during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Hilal at Al Awwal Park on May 12, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed\/Getty Images)\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4608116\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mane won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr this season [File: Abdullah Ahmed\/Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"thiaw-s-judgement\">Questions over Thiaw\u2019s judgement<\/h2>\n<p>Thiaw replaced long-serving coach Aliou Cisse as manager in late 2024, and led his side to an undefeated qualification, the famous win over England, and victory in the AFCON 2025 final.<\/p>\n<p>However, his judgement in that final was sorely lacking after he called for his players to leave the pitch when Morocco were awarded a controversial last-minute penalty.<\/p>\n<p>Brahim Diaz eventually missed, and Senegal went on to win in extra time. But while Thiaw\u2019s recklessness may have contributed to Diaz missing the spot kick, it may have also played a role in costing his side their title after The Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped them of the cup.<\/p>\n<p>The nation of Senegal will hope Thiaw can be more level-headed when facing inevitable adversity in the World Cup, because he has built an extremely dangerous side.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:block;position:relative;min-width:0px;max-width:770px\">\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"packed-with-talent\">Packed with talent<\/h2>\n<p>Many of Senegal\u2019s players will be familiar to followers of Europe\u2019s major leagues.<\/p>\n<p>Nicolas Jackson \u2013 on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea \u2013 is a physical, fast striker who gets in all the right positions, even if his finishing sometimes lets him down.<\/p>\n<p>The pacy winger Ismaila Sarr has excelled at Crystal Palace, helping them to an FA Cup and Europa League wins, and was instrumental in the victory over England.<\/p>\n<p>Pape Matar Sarr is a dynamic all-round talent in midfield, even if he has endured a miserable season at Spurs.<\/p>\n<p>Sunderland\u2019s Habib Diarra is emerging as a highly exciting young midfielder, and is attracting interest from bigger clubs, while Idrissa Gana Gueye and Lamine Camara are solid anchors in the middle of the park, and Everton\u2019s Iliman Ndiaye is a class act out wide.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container--ads in-article-ads\">\n<div class=\"ads\"><span class=\"ads__title\"> Advertisement <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, now 35, brings a calm and vastly experienced nous to central defence.<\/p>\n<p>There are also exciting teenagers coming through the ranks, with Bayern\u2019s 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye and PSG\u2019s Ibrahim Mbaye announced in the squad.<\/p>\n<p>If there are weaknesses, it may be that some of the main stars are ageing and the creative players can be a little inconsistent \u2013 and also that the group is possibly the closest to being the tournament\u2019s \u201cgroup of death\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4608134\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4608134\" style=\"width:770px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4608134\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/reuters_6a184c20-1779977248.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C513&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v 1. FC Heidenheim - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 2, 2026 Bayern Munich&apos;s Nicolas Jackson in action with 1. FC Heidenheim&apos;s Patrick Mainka REUTERS\/Angelika Warmuth DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND\/OR QUASI-VIDEO.\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4608134\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jackson in action with Heidenheim\u2019s Patrick Mainka in the Bundesliga [File: Angelika Warmuth\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"how-does-senegal-s-group-look\">How does Senegal\u2019s group look?<\/h2>\n<p>Group I features formidable sides in France and Norway, as well as a potentially tricky game against Iraq.<\/p>\n<p>Senegal will look to repeat their shock 2002 in the opener against the French, who will surely not be underestimating their African opponents this time.<\/p>\n<p>The second game, against <a href=\"\/sports\/2026\/5\/26\/norway-world-cup-2026-preview-players-to-watch-group-matches-squad-list\">Norway<\/a>, could be just as tough as Koulibaly and co will have to try to stop the goal machine Erling Haaland if they are to get something from the game \u2013 although they will take heart from their frequently watertight defence which was so stingy in qualifying.<\/p>\n<p>The Senegalese will back themselves to comfortably see off Iraq, who qualified through a late intercontinental playoff, although they may not feel they have the luxury to rest any stars depending on how the first two games go.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, even the matches against the most rarefied opposition in their group will hold little fear for a confident and talented Senegal.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:block;position:relative;min-width:0px;max-width:770px\">\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"senegal-s-group-matches-at-the-world-cup\">Senegal\u2019s group matches at the World Cup<\/h2>\n<p>\u26bd June 16: France vs Senegal (New Jersey, United States), 3pm ET (19:00 GMT)<br \/>\n\u26bd June 22: Norway vs Senegal (New Jersey, United States), 8pm ET (00:00 GMT)<br \/>\n\u26bd June 26: Senegal vs Iraq (Toronto, Canada), 3pm ET (19:00 GMT)<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"al-jazeera-s-prediction\">Al Jazeera\u2019s prediction<\/h2>\n<p>Quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p>Senegal will likely impress but may ultimately lack the talent and creativity to be challengers.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"senegal-world-cup-2026-squad\">Senegal World Cup 2026 squad<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Goalkeepers:<\/strong> Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahly), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvann Diouf (Nice)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Defenders:<\/strong> Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Midfielders:<\/strong> Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forwards:<\/strong> Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Assane Diao (Como)<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:block;position:relative;min-width:0px;max-width:770px\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ListenListen (7 mins) Save Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share facebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylink googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo The 34-year-old Sadio Mane will be playing at his last World Cup [Ryan Pierse\/Getty Images] By Al Jazeera Staff Published On 30 May 202630 May 2026 Previous World Cup appearances: 3 Best performance: Quarterfinals (2002) First [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1215,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - 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