World Cup '26

Nation dossier · Group I · In contention

Senegal

Republic of Senegal

Group ICAF

Up next Senegal v Iraq · Group I

Title probability

0.1%

as of 2026-06-25

Overview

Senegal arrive at the 2026 World Cup determined to right the wrongs of a disappointing 2022 campaign, where injuries to key men blunted their challenge. Crowned African champions in 2021, the Lions of Teranga remain CAF's benchmark for talent and physicality.

With a golden generation now nearing its peak — and a deep, athletic squad blending Premier League power and European polish — Senegal carry genuine ambition to reach the latter stages. Consistency in qualifying and a settled spine give coach and country reason for optimism.

Capital

Dakar

Population

17,300,000

Confederation

CAF

FIFA code

SEN

World
Region

From Wikipedia

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds the Gambia, a country occupying a narrow strip of land along the banks of…

Source: Wikipedia →

Squad

Goalkeepers3
  • 1

    Mory Diaw

    Clermont · Reliable backup keeper

    4caps
  • 16

    Édouard Mendy

    Al-Ahli · Commanding shot-stopper and leader

    42caps
  • 23

    Seny Dieng

    Middlesbrough · Experienced third choice

    12caps
Defenders8
  • 2

    Kalidou Koulibaly

    unattached · Squad depth option

    1caps
  • 3

    Kalidou Koulibaly

    Al-Hilal · Captain and defensive rock

    80caps
  • 4

    El Hadji Malick Diouf

    West Ham · Energetic full-back

    8caps
  • 5

    Moussa Niakhaté

    Lyon · Powerful aerial presence

    12caps
  • 12

    Ismail Jakobs

    Galatasaray · Attacking left-back

    18caps
  • 13

    Formose Mendy

    Amiens · Young defensive prospect

    6caps
  • 15

    Krépin Diatta

    Monaco · Hard-running right-back

    40caps
  • 22

    Abdou Diallo

    Al-Arabi · Versatile left-sided defender

    35caps
Midfielders7
  • 5

    Idrissa Gana Gueye

    Everton · Tireless midfield engine

    110caps
  • 6

    Pape Gueye

    Villarreal · Combative midfield destroyer

    24caps
  • 8

    Lamine Camara

    Monaco · Rising creative midfielder

    15caps
  • 10

    Iliman Ndiaye

    Everton · Skilful playmaking forward

    30caps
  • 14

    Pathé Ciss

    Rayo Vallecano · Disciplined midfield workhorse

    12caps
  • 17

    Pape Matar Sarr

    Tottenham · Dynamic box-to-box talent

    28caps
  • 18

    Nampalys Mendy

    Lens · Calm deep-lying anchor

    30caps
Forwards5
  • 9

    Nicolas Jackson

    Chelsea · Pacey clinical centre-forward

    18caps
  • 10

    Sadio Mané

    Al-Nassr · Talisman and main goal threat

    105caps
  • 11

    Ismaïla Sarr

    Crystal Palace · Explosive wide attacker

    60caps
  • 19

    Boulaye Dia

    Lazio · Sharp poaching striker

    35caps
  • 20

    Habib Diallo

    Al-Shabab · Powerful target forward

    30caps

Model

as of 2026-06-25
Champion0.1%
Reach final0.3%
Semi-final1.3%
Quarter-final5.9%
Round of 1617.6%
Advance from group56.6%

Exp. points

2.08

Proj. finish

28.9

Seed Elo

1800

Title-probability trajectory

Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots

Matches

History

  1. 2022

    Did not qualify / Group stage

Culture

Football culture

Football is a national obsession, second only to traditional Senegalese wrestling (laamb) in passion. Match days unite generations, and the success of the national team is woven into the country's modern identity. Stars like Sadio Mané are revered as national heroes who fund schools and hospitals back home.

Did you know

  • Dakar hosts the legendary finish of the original Paris-Dakar Rally.
  • Senegal's 2002 win over France remains one of football's greatest upsets.
  • Traditional wrestling (laamb) draws bigger crowds than football matches.
  • The pink waters of Lake Retba are a natural wonder.
  • Sadio Mané famously donated millions to build facilities in his home village of Bambali.