Potentially Mane’s Last Dance As Senegal Name Provisional World Cup Squad
Pape Thiaw has unveiled a strong provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with growing anticipation that this tournament could represent Sadio Mane’s final shot at football’s biggest prize.
Now 34, the Senegal captain arrives at the global showpiece full of confidence after helping Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title, contributing 14 league goals during an impressive campaign in Saudi Arabia.
For many Senegalese supporters, the tournament feels like the closing chapter of a golden generation led by Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Idrissa Gana Gueye — a group that transformed Senegal into one of Africa’s modern football powerhouses.
Mane remains the emotional heartbeat of the Teranga Lions. Since making his international debut in 2012, the former Liverpool star has inspired Senegal to historic heights, including their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in AFCON 2021 and consecutive World Cup appearances. But despite Senegal’s rise, the nation is still chasing another magical World Cup run comparable to the legendary 2002 side that reached the quarter-finals.
Pape Thiaw has named a provisional 28-man squad blending experience with emerging talent ahead of the tournament in North America. The squad still has to be reduced before FIFA’s final deadline, but the core of Senegal’s expected World Cup team is already clear.
Senegal have been drawn into a difficult Group I alongside France, Norway and Iraq. Their opening fixture against France will immediately revive memories of the famous 1-0 upset Senegal produced against the reigning world champions at the 2002 World Cup in Seoul — one of the greatest shocks in football history.
Senegal’s World Cup Group Stage Program
June 16: Senegal vs France — New Jersey
June 23: Senegal vs Norway — Toronto
June 26: Senegal vs Iraq — New Jersey
Senegal Provisional World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli)
Mory Diaw (Le Havre)
Yehvann Diouf (Nice)
Defenders
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal)
Krepin Diatta (Monaco)
Moussa Niakhate (Lyon)
Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray)
Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa)
El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham)
Antoine Mendy (Nice)
Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea)
Ilay Camara (Anderlecht)
Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)
Midfielders
Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton)
Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham)
Pape Gueye (Villarreal)
Lamine Camara (Monaco)
Habib Diarra (Strasbourg)
Cheikh Niasse (Verona)
Dion Lopy (Almeria)
Forwards
Sadio Mane (Al Nassr)
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)
Boulaye Dia (Lazio)
Cherif Ndiaye (Red Star Belgrade)
Abdallah Sima (Brest)
Mama Baldé (Brest)
Assane Diao (Como)
