Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has officially unveiled his squad for the World Cup 2026, and the major headline concerns the return of Sadio Mané. After announcing his international retirement following the AFCON 2025 controversy, the Al-Nassr forward has decided to return and help the Lions of Teranga during what could become the final World Cup of his career.
Senegal will enter the tournament with huge ambitions despite landing in a difficult group alongside France, Norway, and Iraq. Pape Thiaw has also selected several attacking talents such as Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Assane Diao, and Ibrahim Mbaye to strengthen the team’s offensive options.
Senegal will rely on a balanced and experienced squad filled with players competing in top European leagues. The coach has also rewarded young Bayern Munich prospect Bara Sapoko Ndiaye with a surprise call-up after his recent appearances with the German club’s first team. Several Ligue 1 players also feature in the squad, including Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye, Moussa Niakhaté, Yehvann Diouf, and Mory Diaw.
Pape Thiaw selected 28 players for the preparation camp, but he will remove two names before the start of the World Cup 2026.
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvann Diouf (Nice).
Defenders: Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), El Hadj Malick Diouf (West Ham), Kreppin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Assane Diao (Como), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea).
