Senegal are set to conclude their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a friendly match against Saudi Arabia, as the African champions finalise their build-up ahead of the tournament.
Reports in the Senegalese press indicate that an agreement has been reached between the two federations for a warm-up fixture against Hervé Renard’s Saudi Arabian side, providing Senegal with a final test before the start of the competition.
The proposed match is expected to take place between 5 and 9 June, just days before Senegal begin their World Cup campaign.
It would serve as the last opportunity for the technical staff to fine-tune tactics and assess the squad in match conditions ahead of their opening group game.
Senegal are scheduled to play their first official fixture of the tournament against France on 16 June, a meeting that places added importance on their preparation programme.
The friendly against Saudi Arabia is therefore viewed as a key step in completing a carefully planned run-up to the global showpiece.
The outline of Senegal’s preparation calendar has gradually become clearer in recent weeks.
The Senegalese Football Federation has already confirmed another warm-up match, with the Lions set to face the United States on 31 May.
That encounter is expected to provide an early gauge of form before attention turns to the final phase of preparations.
For Senegal, who qualified for the 2026 World Cup with ambitions of making a strong impact, the sequence of friendly matches is designed to ensure match sharpness while allowing the coaching staff to make final adjustments.
The reported meeting with Saudi Arabia would close that cycle, offering a different type of opposition shortly before competitive action begins.
Saudi Arabia, also qualified for the tournament, are likewise continuing their own preparations, with the potential fixture fitting into a period where World Cup-bound teams are seeking competitive opposition to test systems and combinations.
While no official confirmation has yet been issued, the reports underline the advanced stage of Senegal’s planning as they approach the final weeks before the World Cup.
With one friendly already arranged and another reportedly agreed, the focus is now firmly on readiness rather than experimentation.
As anticipation builds ahead of the tournament, Senegal’s schedule reflects a desire for structured preparation, with each match serving a specific purpose.
Should the friendly against Saudi Arabia go ahead as planned, it would mark the final rehearsal before the Lions turn their full attention to the challenge that awaits them on the World Cup stage.
