Senegal unveils 2026 world cup squad with mané and koulibaly

The Teranga Lions have announced their 28-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, featuring veteran stars Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly despite the latter’s recent injury concerns. Head coach Pape Thiaw outlined an ambitious vision for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 and runs through July 19, as Senegal prepares to face formidable opponents in a highly anticipated global showdown.

“We are dreaming big and aiming for greatness”, declared Pape Thiaw as he revealed a balanced 28-man squad brimming with talent. The roster includes a blend of experienced campaigners and rising young stars, reflecting the coach’s confidence in both depth and versatility. Among the newcomers are Lamine Camara of Monaco, Assane Diao of Como, and Ibrahima Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain, alongside promising forward Bamba Dieng, whose strong finish to the season with Lorient earned him a spot.

“This team is carefully constructed to meet the demands of a grueling World Cup campaign,

Senegal’s group stage opponents revealed

Senegal finds itself in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Iraq. The Lions will launch their campaign against France on June 16, a rematch of their historic 2002 World Cup opener—where Senegal famously claimed a shock victory over the eventual runners-up.

While much attention will focus on the blocbuster clash with France, Thiaw emphasized the importance of treating all three group-stage opponents with equal respect. “Norway and Iraq are here to compete, just as we are,

Squad breakdown: experience meets youth

Goalkeepers (3): Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahly), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvann Diouf (Nice)

Defenders (9): Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Krépin Diatta (Monaco), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)

Midfielders (6): Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)

Forwards (10): Sadio Mané (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz), Ibrahima Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Assane Diao (Como)