FIFA WC 2026: Senegal makes public list of 26 Lions

Moustapha Mbow’s favorite in ahead of Malang Sarr
Announced in recent months with Senegal, Malang Sarr will still have to wait. Pape Thiaw has chosen to give his first cap to Moustapha Mbow who also just finished a great season with Paris FC. To the chagrin of the RC Lens defender, with whom he admits to having spoken. 

«I spoke on the phone twice (...) He had a great season. He is a player who is followed, but there is a choice to make. I put him on my reserve list,"

 Thiaw said at his press conference.

The other surprise is the presence of Bara Sapoko Ndiaye who has only experienced the professional world this season with Bayern Munich. Also note the return of Ilay Camara. So it’s with this group that the preparation will start, before it is reduced to 26 for the competition.

 «If we look closely, there are 28 players on this list. Two of them will be leaving us. They will be with us during the preparation. We have 3 weeks of preparation that will serve us,"

 confirmed Thiaw.

Senegal’s list for the 2026 World Cup
Keepers: Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvan Diouf (Nice)

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

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

Forwards: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Assane Diao (Como), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor)

The last one from Sadio Mané
At 34 years old, Sadio Mané is participating in her second World Cup with Senegal, after 2018 (Russia). This 2026 World Cup is expected to be the last major competition of the double African Golden Ball with the Lions before he retires internationally, as he announced after the 2025 AFCON final.

With 52 goals in 124 caps, Sadio Mané is the best scorer in the history of Senegal. And the Al-Nassr striker will be keen to finish on a high note. Carrying Senegal to the last four or even to the coronation, knowing that the country has never exceeded the stage of quarter-finals in the World Cup, will grow a little more the native of Bambali in the heart of the Senegalese. Idrissa Gueye (36 years old) could also retire internationally after this World Cup.

Senegal’s program at the World Cup
Friday, June 16

19h GMT: France vs Senegal

Tuesday 23 June

00h GMT : Norway vs Senegal

Friday, June 26

19h GMT: Senegal vs Iraq