Stade Léopold Senghor set to host Senegal’s World Cup qualifier against Mauritania

Stade Léopold Senghor is on course to stage Senegal’s decisive 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Mauritania in October, with final adjustments nearing completion to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.

The historic Dakar stadium, located in Parcelles Assainies, has been undergoing extensive upgrades to secure CAF approval. Central to these preparations has been the installation of new technical benches, one of the key requirements outlined by football’s governing bodies.

Ordered from Turkey during Augustin Senghor’s tenure as president of the Senegalese Football Federation, the modern dugouts have already cleared customs at Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport and are awaiting transfer to the venue.

A senior source close to the project expressed confidence that CAF approval would not be an obstacle. “If I see a stadium approved like the Stade des Martyrs in DR Congo where the Lions played, we really shouldn’t worry about the approval of Stade Léopold Senghor,” the source said. “For approval, the most important things are the pitch, the lighting and security. When these three conditions are met, the rest is manageable.”

The facility has already passed a significant test. In July, it hosted the Senegal Cup final between Génération Foot and Jaraaf, an event that was praised for its organisation, comfort, and safety standards.

According to the same source, only “a few small adjustments” remain before CAF inspectors make their final decision, with the Senegalese Football Federation expected to coordinate the process.

Beyond compliance, the choice of venue offers several practical advantages. Unlike the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, which is heavily reliant on the toll highway and often criticised for traffic congestion, Stade Léopold Senghor benefits from multiple access routes and extensive parking facilities, now cleared of previous occupants. Its 50,000-seat capacity also provides an opportunity for a full house to support the Lions in what could be a decisive moment on their road to North America.

Fans and officials alike have embraced the prospect of returning to one of Dakar’s iconic football arenas. The blend of modernisation and accessibility, they believe, will create the perfect stage for Senegal’s national team to seal qualification.

With the lighting, pitch and security measures already in place, and with the new benches ready for installation, optimism is growing that the stadium will be ready in time. The aim is clear: to ensure Aliou Cissé’s side step into a packed, electrifying atmosphere for their final qualifier, with the nation firmly behind them.

A grand send-off in October at Stade Léopold Senghor would mark not only a symbolic homecoming but also a powerful show of support for the Lions as they aim to book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.