Senegal announced this Thursday the list of 28 called up for Copa of Mundo 2026. Coach Pape Thiaw defined the names that will represent the African team in Mundial, which will be played between Estados Unidos, Canadá and México from June 11th. The team debuts on the 16th of the same month against França, in Nova Jersey, in a match valid for Grupo I.
The Senegalese squad will need to cut two players after the preparation friendlies. The first match will be on May 31st against Estados Unidos, followed by a duel with Arábia Saudita on June 9th. Senegal joins Grupo I alongside França, Iraque and Noruega, seeking to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Goleiros and defenders on the committee
The three goalkeepers called up are Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Mory Diaw (Le Havre) and Yehvann Diouf (Nice). The defense has ten athletes selected for the competition.
The defensive line brings together names like Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), considered one of the most experienced defenders in the squad, and Krépin Diatta (Monaco). Outros defenders are Antoine Mendy (Nice), El Hadji Malich Diouf (West Ham), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco) and Ilay Camara (Anderlecht).
Meio-campers and game creation
Senegal has seven midfielders on the final list. Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton) is among the main names in the sector. Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern of Munique) complete the group.
The offensive sector has depth and technical quality. Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) is the main highlight among the attackers called up. Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern of Munique), Bamba Dieng (Lorient) and Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor) complete the Senegalese strike force.
Calendário from group stage games
- June 16 (4pm, Brasília time): Senegal x França in Nova Jersey
- June 22 (9 p.m., Brasília time): Senegal x Noruega in Nova Jersey
- June 26 (4 p.m., Brasília time): Senegal x Iraque in Toronto
Histórico recent and controversial
Senegal arrived at Mundial after an impeccable campaign in África’s Eliminatórias. The team recorded seven wins and three draws in Grupo B, surpassing RD Congo, Sudão, Togo, Mauritânia and Sudão of Sul. Participation in 2026 will be the country’s fourth in Mundiais, having debuted in the 2002 edition, performed by Japão and Coreia of Sul.
The cast performs at Mundial involved in recent controversy. In January 2026, Senegal won Copa Africana from Nações by beating Marrocos in the final, a match marked by the Senegalese team leaving the field in protest against refereeing decisions. Dois months later, Confederação Africana of Futebol (CAF) accepted the Moroccan appeal and revoked Senegal’s title. In response, the Senegalese team displayed the trophy in a friendly against Peru as a demonstration.
Estrutura general of Mundial 2026
Copa of Mundo 2026 will be played in 104 games in total. The tournament starts on June 11th with a duel between México and África from Sul at Estádio Azteca. The knockout stage begins on June 28th, with the final scheduled for July 19th at MetLife Stadium.