Senegal has unveiled its 28-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, with Sadio Mane highlighted as a pivotal inclusion. The forward, who is Senegal's all-time leading goal scorer with 53 goals in 126 appearances, aims to make an impact after missing the previous tournament due to injury. Coach Pape Thiaw will need to reduce the squad by two players before the final deadline later this month.

Star-Studded Lineup

Mane is expected to spearhead a talented Senegalese team that boasts a mix of seasoned players and youthful talent, making it one of the strongest among the ten African qualifiers for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Alongside Mane, the squad features Bayern Munich's Nicolas Jackson, Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr. Notably, 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye from Bayern has also been included, while Malang Sarr, who has performed well with Lens this season, has not made the cut.

World Cup Aspirations

Senegal's squad also includes experienced centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The team recently showcased its strength at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they faced a controversial final against the hosts, which was later awarded to Morocco and is currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In the World Cup, Senegal finds itself in Group I, beginning its campaign against France on June 16 in New Jersey, a rematch of their historic 2002 encounter. They will also face Norway on June 22 and Iraq on June 26 in Toronto.

This World Cup presents a significant opportunity for Senegal, particularly for Mane and other members of the so-called "Golden Generation," as they seek to surpass their best performance from 2002, when they reached the quarterfinals. Their previous outings in 2018 and 2022 ended in disappointment, with early exits from the group stage and round of 16, respectively.

Senegal World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Yehvann Diouf, Mory Diaw

Defenders: Krepin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Abdoulaye Seck, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ilay Camara, Moussa Niakhate, Mamadou Sarr, El-Hadji Malick Diouf, Moustapha Mbow, Ismail Jakobs

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pathe Ciss, Bara Ndiaye

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Bamba Dieng, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Assane Diao, Ibrahim Mbaye, Cherif Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr