CAF · Group I
Senegal at FIFA World Cup 2026
Senegal qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group I opponents
Senegal plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
Senegal fixtures
Senegal in the tournament
Senegal arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #20 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 76/100. CAF (Africa) sends 9 teams, up from 5 in the previous edition. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022.
The 48-team format puts Senegal in Group I with France, Iraq, Norway. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #29, with Senegal in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
Senegal squad for World Cup 2026
Announced May 21, 2026 · 28 players · Head coach: Pape Thiaw
Sadio Mané leads the Lions of Teranga for what is likely his last World Cup. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly anchors a defence featuring Premier League regulars; Idrissa Gana Gueye returns as the country's all-time most-capped player. Senegal opens against France on June 16 at MetLife -- a rematch of the famous 2002 opener. The roster is preliminary: two players will be cut before the tournament begins.
Goalkeepers3
- Édouard Mendy(Al-Ahli)
- Mory Diaw(Le Havre)
- Yehvann Diouf(OGC Nice)
Defenders10
- Krépin Diatta(AS Monaco)
- Antoine Mendy(OGC Nice)
- Kalidou KoulibalyCaptain(Al-Hilal)103 caps; defensive leader
- El Hadji Malick Diouf(West Ham United)
- Mamadou Sarr(Chelsea)
- Moussa Niakhaté(Lyon)
- Moustapha Mbow(Paris FC)
- Abdoulaye Seck(Maccabi Haifa)
- Ismaïl Jakobs(Galatasaray)
- Ilay Camara(Anderlecht)
Midfielders7
- Idrissa Gana Gueye(Everton)131 caps -- Senegal's all-time most-capped player
- Pape Gueye(Villarreal)
- Lamine Camara(AS Monaco)
- Habib Diarra(Sunderland)
- Pathé Ciss(Rayo Vallecano)
- Pape Matar Sarr(Tottenham Hotspur)
- Bara Sapoko Ndiaye(Bayern Munich)
Forwards8
- Sadio Mané(Al-Nassr)Senegal's all-time top scorer (53 goals)
- Ismaïla Sarr(Crystal Palace)
- Iliman Ndiaye(Everton)
- Assane Diao(Como)
- Ibrahim Mbaye(Paris Saint-Germain)
- Nicolas Jackson(Chelsea)
- Bamba Dieng(Lorient)
- Chérif Ndiaye(Samsunspor)
Sources: beIN SPORTS, Kawowo Sports, Dailysports. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about Senegal
When does Senegal play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Senegal plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 16, 2026. The opener is against FRA. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is Senegal in at the World Cup 2026?
Senegal is in Group I alongside France, Iraq, Norway. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is Senegal's FIFA ranking?
Senegal entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #20 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the top 25 globally. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can Senegal win the World Cup 2026?
Senegal's pre-tournament strength rating is 76/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are realistic dark horses capable of reaching the latter rounds. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.