After going to its second World Cup, Senegal played in its first international game earlier this year. The Lions of Teranga, one of the favorite teams, going into the tournament, won their first Africa Cup of Nations championship. The team’s skill was on display when they beat Egypt on penalty kicks in the championship game. This was the first of two consecutive penalty kick wins.
Group A Senegal Matches Schedule (All Times Eastern)
- Vs Netherlands, Nov. 21, 11 A.M.
- Vs Qatar, Nov. 25, 8 A.M.
- Vs Ecuador, Nov. 29, 10 A.M.
Senegal Team Coach
- Senegal Coach Name: Aliou Cissé, hired in March 2015
Players to Watch: Sadio Mané, Forward
After guiding his side to the AFCON triumph, the country’s all-time greatest goalscorer is back for more action. The Ballon d’Or race should have gone to Mané, but instead, he came in second.
His right leg is injured, which might be problematic since his country’s future success depends on it. Still, assuming he’s healthy, he’s the finest forward in Group A and will be Senegal’s primary differentiator.
Players to Watch: Édouard Mendy, Goalkeeper
Although Chelsea’s goalkeeper hasn’t been playing well this season, he will still be a top choice in Qatar. Mendy, at 6’5″, makes it difficult to score on because of his quickness and agility; the 30-year-old allowed just two goals in five games during the AFCON triumph.
Players to Watch: Kalidou Koulibaly, Center Back
Koulibaly’s presence in the Senegal back line has been as crucial to his team’s success as Mendy’s. Having just moved to Chelsea from Napoli, another physically intimidating defender, he often partners with Mendy in taking on the best players in the world.
Breakout Candidate: Ismaïla Sarr, Forward
Sarr, 24, didn’t play much at AFCON, but he’ll be essential in Qatar. Last year, he scored only five goals for Watford in the Premier League, but he’s scored six and assisted three in 16 championship appearances.
Senegal must replace Mané after he’s done. Sarr has the qualities to become a victorious forward for his national team, with a flair for finding space and decent finishing ability. He’ll likely start on his countryman’s left flank in his first World Cup.
World Cup History of Senegal
- Third Appearance: 2022
- Last Appearance: 2018
- Best Finish: Quarterfinalist in 2002
Outlook and Expectations from Senegal
Senegal needs momentum at this World Cup. The nation’s first tournament entry in 16 years ended in disappointment as the squad missed out on a knockout-stage berth due to a tiebreaker with Japan. Senegal was on the verge of contending with the world’s elite.
Group A should be a fantastic chance for the nation’s second knockout stage trip; Qatar and Ecuador shouldn’t compete. If Senegal beats the Netherlands, it may easily reach the quarterfinals by winning Group A. Africa has never reached the World Cup semifinals. This squad may finally win.
World Cup Squad of Senegal
- Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers) – Goalkeepers.
- Alfred Gomis (Rennes) – Goalkeepers.
- Édouard Mendy (Chelsea) – Goalkeepers.
- Fodé Ballo-Touré (AC Milan) – Defenders.
- Pape Abou Cissé (Olympiacos) – Defenders.
- Abdou Diallo (Leipzig) – Defenders.
- Ismail Jakobs (Monaco) – Defenders.
- Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) – Defenders.
- Formose Mendy (Amiens) – Defenders.
- Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis) – Defenders.
- Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano) – Midfielders.
- Krepin Diatta (Monaco) – Midfielders.
- Idrissa Gueye (Everton) – Midfielders.
- Pape Gueye (Marseille) – Midfielders.
- Cheikhou Kouyaté (Nottingham Forest) – Midfielders.
- Mamadou Loum (Reading) – Midfielders.
- Nampalys Mendy (Leicester) – Midfielders.
- Moustapha Name (Pafos) – Midfielders.
- Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) – Midfielders.
- Boulaye Dia (Salernitana) – Forwards.
- Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor) – Forwards.
- Bamba Dieng (Marseille) – Forwards.
- Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal) – Forwards.
- Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich) – Forwards.
- Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United) – Forwards.
- Ismaïla Sarr (Watford) – Forwards.