Senegal compete in Group Nine of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Record:
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AFCON winners in 2021
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Best World Cup finish: Quarter-finals (2002)
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FIFA ranking: 14
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Last World Cup appearance: 2022 (Round of 16)
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Nickname: Lions of Teranga
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Top clubs: Jaraaf, Jeanne d'Arc, Douanes
Qualification: Senegal topped their qualifying group unbeaten, becoming one of nine African sides to secure automatic World Cup qualification. Two months after booking their place in the United States, the Lions of Teranga confirmed their standing as one of Africa's leading nations by reaching the AFCON final — winning on the pitch against Morocco, but losing the tie administratively after temporarily leaving the field, with the matter now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Coach: Pape Thiaw was a substitute striker in Senegal's squad at the 2002 World Cup, featuring in just one of the five matches that took his country to the quarter-finals. In the round of 16 against Sweden, however, he provided the assist for Henri Camara's golden goal. Twenty-four years on, and following a successful AFCON campaign, the 45-year-old is preparing for his first World Cup on the touchline — having had no major managerial experience before taking charge of the national team. His future remains uncertain, with his contract having expired in February and not yet renewed.
Star player: With two goals and two assists at the AFCON in Morocco last winter, Sadio Mané — at 34 — remains the undisputed star of the Senegalese national team. A leader on and off the pitch, the former Liverpool left winger who won the Champions League in 2019 with the Reds will compete in his second World Cup after winning the Saudi league title with Al-Nassr. He was forced to withdraw from the Qatar 2022 tournament just days before kick-off with a right fibula injury.
Ambitions: In a tough group featuring France, Norway, and Iraq, Senegal aim to avoid finishing third and secure a round-of-16 place. Beyond that, the Lions of Teranga can dream of guiding their country to a second World Cup quarter-final — and erasing the memory of a heavy last-16 defeat to England (0–3) four years ago.