Senegal at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 14
Group: I
Confederation: CAF
Coach: Pape Thiaw
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Quarter-finals (2002)

History

Senegal made their debut at the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and immediately produced one of the greatest upsets in tournament history, defeating reigning champions France 1-0 in the group stage. They went on to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost to Turkey via a golden goal in extra time, matching Cameroon's 1990 achievement as only the second African nation to reach that stage. Senegal's second World Cup appearance came in 2018 in Russia, where they reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Japan on fair play points, a first in World Cup history. They qualified again for 2022 in Qatar but were knocked out in the round of 16 by England. The 2026 tournament is their fourth World Cup appearance.

Qualification

Senegal qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing as winners of CAF Group B, ending the campaign unbeaten with 24 points from seven wins and three draws across 10 matches. Their group included DR Congo, Sudan, Mauritania, Togo, and South Sudan. A 4-0 victory over Mauritania in October 2025, in which Sadio Mane scored twice, secured top spot. Head coach Pape Thiaw, who succeeded Aliou Cisse, guided the Teranga Lions through the campaign without a single defeat.

Preparation

Pape Thiaw named a 28-man preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, to be trimmed to 26 before the tournament; the two cuts had not yet been officially confirmed as of 2 June 2026. As part of their pre-tournament tour of the United States, Senegal lost their first warm-up 3-2 to the host nation on 31 May 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with Sadio Mané scoring both goals to take his international tally to 54. A second friendly against Saudi Arabia follows on 9 June 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, before the squad opens its Group I campaign against France on 16 June. Former captain Cheikhou Kouyate, who had been playing for Turkish club Amedspor, rejoined the setup in late May 2026 not as a player but as a member of Pape Thiaw's technical staff. After a flag-handover ceremony attended by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the squad departed for the United States on 28 May 2026 (after logistical flight delays reported by the federation).

Latest news

Senegal lose 3-2 to USA in World Cup warm-up as Mané scores twice

Sun 31 May · matches

Senegal lost 3-2 to the United States in a pre-World Cup friendly at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte. Sadio Mané scored both goals (44' and second half), taking his international tally to 54; USA replied through Dest, Pulisic and Balogun. Coach Pape Thiaw praised a 'very hungry, well-organised' American side. Senegal next face Saudi Arabia on 9 June before opening against France.

espn.com · 2026-06-02
sports.yahoo.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Édouard Mendy	GK	Al-Ahli
Mory Diaw	GK	Le Havre AC
Yehvann Diouf	GK	OGC Nice
Krépin Diatta	DF	AS Monaco
Antoine Mendy	DF	OGC Nice
Kalidou Koulibaly	DF	Al-Hilal
El Hadji Malick Diouf	DF	West Ham United
Mamadou Sarr	DF	Chelsea
Moussa Niakhaté	DF	Olympique Lyonnais
Moustapha Mbow	DF	Paris FC
Abdoulaye Seck	DF	Maccabi Haifa
Ismaïl Jakobs	DF	Galatasaray SK
Ilay Camara	DF	RSC Anderlecht
Idrissa Gana Gueye	MF	Everton
Pape Gueye	MF	Villarreal CF
Lamine Camara	MF	AS Monaco
Habib Diarra	MF	Sunderland AFC
Pathé Ciss	MF	Rayo Vallecano
Pape Matar Sarr	MF	Tottenham Hotspur
Bara Sapoko Ndiaye	MF	Bayern Munich
Sadio Mané	FW	Al-Nassr
Ismaïla Sarr	FW	Crystal Palace
Iliman Ndiaye	FW	Everton
Assane Diao	FW	Como 1907
Ibrahim Mbaye	FW	Paris Saint-Germain
Nicolas Jackson	FW	Chelsea
Bamba Dieng	FW	FC Lorient
Chérif Ndiaye	FW	Samsunspor