OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senegal have announced their provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Lions of Teranga prepare for another major tournament appearance in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Manager Pape Thiaw named an experienced group headlined by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of Senegal’s third consecutive World Cup appearance.
The West African side head into the tournament following a controversial Africa Cup of Nations campaign that ended with the Confederation of African Football stripping them of the title after disciplinary sanctions.
Senegal have been drawn in a difficult Group I alongside France and Norway, setting up potential clashes against Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Mendy is expected to remain the country’s first-choice goalkeeper despite now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.
Nice goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf and Le Havre’s Mory Diaw were also included in the provisional squad.
In defence, veteran defender Koulibaly leads a backline that also includes Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr, Monaco’s Krepin Diatta and West Ham United star El Hadji Malick Diouf.
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Lyon defender Moussa Niakhate and Galatasaray full-back Ismail Jakobs also made the squad.
Senegal’s midfield contains several Europe-based players including Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye, Villarreal’s Pape Gueye and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr.
Habib Diarra, who missed the AFCON tournament through injury, also returned to the squad alongside Monaco youngster Lamine Camara.
Senegal will hope their blend of experience and emerging talent can produce another strong World Cup campaign after their historic quarter-final run in 2002 remains the country’s best performance at the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga are regarded as one of Africa’s strongest representatives heading into the competition despite the challenges awaiting them in the group stage.
Senegal provisional World Cup 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)
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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)
