News Focus
- Sadio Mane returns to the global stage after missing the 2022 finals through injury
- Coach Pape Thiaw names 28 players but must cut two before the June 2 deadline
- Senegal face France, Norway and Iraq in their opening group matches
- The tournament expands to 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico
Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mane has been handed a spot in Senegal’s provisional squad for this summer’s World Cup. The 34-year-old will finally make his tournament debut after a cruel knee problem forced him to withdraw from the 2022 finals in Qatar.
Head coach Pape Thiaw has selected 28 players for the initial roster, though regulations require him to reduce this to 26 men before the final submission date on June 2. The successful candidates will travel to North America for the expanded competition, which kicks off on June 11 and concludes on July 19.
Mane provides vital experience in attack alongside Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr. The midfield engine features Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr.
The Lions of Teranga begin their Group B campaign against France in New Jersey on June 16. They will then tackle Norway on June 22 before facing Iraq four days later to complete the opening phase.
The selection follows a turbulent period for the national side. During the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, Mane demonstrated remarkable leadership when he remained alone on the pitch after officials awarded Morocco a stoppage-time penalty. His team-mates had walked off in protest, and although the Confederation of African Football later declared Morocco the champions, Mane’s refusal to leave highlighted his dedication to the Teranga Lions.
Provisional 28-Man Squad
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre).
Defenders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray).
Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Bara Ndiaye (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace).