The Lions of Teranga are harboring massive ambitions for this summer’s tournament, which will take place across Canada, the United States, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Coach Pape Thiaw confirmed that the team is dreaming big as he unveiled his extended selection of players on Thursday.

The roster includes a promising wave of young talent, such as Lamine Camara of Monaco, Côme’s Assane Diao, and Ibrahima Mbaye from PSG. They are joined by Bara Sapoko Ndiaye of Bayern Munich and forward Bamba Dieng, who earned his spot following a strong conclusion to the season with Lorient.

During a press conference, the coach described the group as a well-balanced unit designed to handle the intense demands of a World Cup environment.

Senegal’s group stage and tournament outlook

Senegal has been placed in Group I, where they will compete against France, Norway, and Iraq. The campaign begins on June 16 with a highly anticipated match against a French side led by Kylian Mbappé.

This opening fixture evokes memories of the 2002 World Cup, when Senegal famously defeated France in the tournament’s first game. However, the coach was quick to downplay the singular focus on the French team, noting that Norway and Iraq are equally important hurdles.

While acknowledging the historical ties between Senegal and France, Pape Thiaw emphasized that he views the encounter as just one part of their overall journey in the competition.

Official squad breakdown

Goalkeepers: Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahly), Mory Diaw (Le Havre), Yehvann Diouf (Nice)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Krépin Diatta (Monaco), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Sadio Mané (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz), Ibrahima Mbaye (Paris SG), Assane Diao (Côme)