The Teranga Lions have announced their 28-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, headlined by the return of Sadio Mané and a determined Kalidou Koulibaly, despite his injury concerns. National team manager Pape Thiaw has outlined an ambitious vision for the tournament, which begins on June 11 and runs through July 19 across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Squad selection reflects fresh ambition and youth development
Thiaw emphasized the squad’s balance and strategic depth, calling it “a well-thought-out group ready for the intensity of the World Cup.” Alongside the veteran stars, the roster features rising talents like Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Bamba Dieng (FC Lorient), and Assane Diao (Como 1907), all of whom have delivered standout performances in their domestic and European campaigns.
The selection also includes young defenders Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais) and Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), reinforcing the team’s defensive transition while maintaining attacking firepower through Iliman Ndiaye (Everton FC) and Nicolas Jackson (FC Bayern Munich).
Group stage opener against France sets historic stage
The Lions have been drawn into Group I alongside defending champions France, Norway, and Iraq. Their campaign kicks off on June 16 in a rematch of their famous 1–0 victory over France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. Despite the historical significance, Thiaw downplayed the narrative, stating, “We have three opponents. Why focus only on France? Norway and Iraq are here too, and they deserve our full attention.”
He added, “We share a history with France, but for me, this isn’t a special match. Every game is a new challenge.” The team’s preparation reflects a forward-looking mindset aimed at building on past successes rather than being weighed down by them.
Squad breakdown by position
- Goalkeepers (3): Édouard Mendy (Al Ahly), Mory Diaw (Le Havre AC), Yehvann Diouf (OGC Nice)
- Defenders (9): Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Mamadou Sarr (RC Strasbourg), Antoine Mendy (OGC Nice), Ilay Camara (RSC Anderlecht), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Krépin Diatta (AS Monaco), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)
- Midfielders (6): Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton FC), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal CF), Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland AFC), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (FC Bayern Munich)
- Forwards (10): Sadio Mané (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (FC Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (FC Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton FC), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace FC), Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Cheikh Sabaly (FC Metz), Ibrahima Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Assane Diao (Como 1907)