The Lions of Teranga Chase Another Historic Run
SENEGAL
The Lions of Teranga return for a third consecutive World Cup.
Head Coach
Pape Thiaw leads Senegal into World Cup 2026 after taking charge in December 2024. A member of the legendary 2002 squad, he now guides a new generation with the ambition to match or surpass that historic quarter-final run.
World Cup Group
June 16: France vs Senegal — New York New Jersey Stadium
June 22: Norway vs Senegal — New York New Jersey Stadium
June 26: Senegal vs Iraq — Toronto Stadium
World Cup History
Senegal will play in its fifth FIFA World Cup. Its best result came in 2002, when the Lions of Teranga stunned France and reached the quarter-finals.
Africa’s Consistent Power
Senegal is becoming a regular World Cup presence. The Lions of Teranga arrive at the 2026 tournament for their third consecutive appearance and with enough talent, experience and belief to make another deep run.
Their qualification campaign was unbeaten: seven wins, three draws, 22 goals scored and only three conceded. Sadio Mané, Pape Matar Sarr and Ismaïla Sarr carried much of the attacking load.
Senegal World Cup Facts
- Confederation: CAF
- World Cup Appearances: 5
- Best Result: Quarter-finals (2002)
- Last Appearance: Qatar 2022 (Round of 16)
- All-Time Top World Cup Scorer: Papa Bouba Diop, 3 goals
- Most World Cup Appearances: Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly, Ismaïla Sarr, 7
Players To Watch
Sadio Mané
The national icon remains Senegal’s attacking leader and emotional reference point.
Pape Matar Sarr
A dynamic midfielder who gives Senegal energy, pressing and late runs into the box.
Kalidou Koulibaly
The defensive leader and captain brings experience, strength and big-tournament authority.
Senegal’s Greatest World Cup Moment
Senegal’s greatest World Cup moment came in 2002, when the Lions of Teranga shocked defending world and European champions France in the opening match. Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal, creating one of the most famous upsets in tournament history.
That unforgettable run continued all the way to the quarter-finals, where Senegal became one of the greatest African stories ever seen at a World Cup.
SENEGAL
Portieri
- #1 Yehvann Diouf (OGC Nice, Francia) – 188 cm
- #18 Mory Diaw (Çaykur Rizespor, Turchia) – 197 cm
- #16 Édouard Mendy (Al Ahli FC, Arabia Saudita) – 194 cm
Difensori
- #2 Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea FC, Inghilterra) – 194 cm
- #3 Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal SFC, Arabia Saudita) – 186 cm
- #4 El Hadji Malick Seck (Maccabi Haifa FC, Israele) – 192 cm
- #13 Iliman Ndiaye* (Everton FC, Inghilterra) – 180 cm
- #14 Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray SK, Turchia) – 184 cm
- #15 Krépin Diatta (AS Monaco, Francia) – 173 cm
- #19 Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais, Francia) – 190 cm
- #24 Antoine Mendy (OGC Nice, Francia) – 187 cm
- #25 El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United, Inghilterra) – 177 cm
- #5 Ilay Camara (Rotherham United, Inghilterra) – 174 cm
Centrocampisti
- #6 Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano, Spagna) – 186 cm
- #8 Lamine Camara (AS Monaco, Francia) – 174 cm
- #17 Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur, Inghilterra) – 185 cm
- #21 Mouhamadou Habib Diarra (Sunderland AFC, Inghilterra) – 178 cm
- #22 Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (FC Bayern München, Germania) – 180 cm
- #26 Pape Gueye (Villarreal CF, Spagna) – 189 cm
- #5 Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton FC, Inghilterra) – 174 cm
Attaccanti
- #7 Assane Diao (Como 1907, Italia) – 185 cm
- #9 Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Dieng (FC Lorient, Francia) – 178 cm
- #10 Sadio Mané (Al Nassr FC, Arabia Saudita) – 175 cm
- #11 Nicolas Jackson (FC Bayern München, Germania) – 187 cm
- #12 Papa Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor, Turchia) – 190 cm
- #20 Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain, Francia) – 175 cm
- #23 Mory Diaw* (Le Havre AC, Francia) – 197 cm
- #18 Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace FC, Inghilterra) – 185 cm
Commissario Tecnico
- Pape Thiaw (Senegal)
