World Cup 2026: El Hadji Diouf sets semi-final target for ambitious Senegal

Senegal legend El Hadji Diouf believes the Teranga Lions have what it takes to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the African giants are ready to challenge the world’s best teams on football’s biggest stage.

With the tournament now underway, Senegal arrive carrying high expectations after an impressive run of performances over the past year. Despite the controversy surrounding their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Diouf remains convinced that the continental tournament has provided the ideal preparation for the World Cup.

Speaking at a PUMA launch event for Senegal’s World Cup kit, the former forward expressed confidence in the strength of the current squad.

“AFCON was the warm-up for the World Cup. We know we’re so good,” he exclusively told Sky Sports. “People know Senegal is not just a good team – it’s an institution of football now.

“We have wonderful players, a wonderful group and the whole continent supporting us because we have players who play not for Senegal only, but play for the whole continent week after week, like Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly.

“Now they have to be a machine and they have to be ready for all tournaments. I know mentally, we’re ready to play any competition.”

Diouf believes Senegal’s growing status on the international stage means simply qualifying for the World Cup is no longer enough. Instead, the team must set its sights much higher.

“Going to the World Cup for us now, it’s normal. At this World Cup, we have an objective – we want to reach the semi-final. We have big players, we have a good group and we won the Africa Cup of Nations.

“We leave it all in the hands of CAS and we’re going to see what happens. I think the whole world has been shocked for that decision, but that’s life. Senegal believes of the seriousness of the football of the world and of FIFA.”

Senegal have already demonstrated their credentials against elite opposition. Victories over England and Brazil in international friendlies served as significant statements of intent and reinforced the belief that the Teranga Lions can compete with football’s traditional powerhouses.

The team will also draw inspiration from the nation’s historic World Cup campaign in 2002, when Senegal reached the quarter-finals in their tournament debut. Interestingly, there are similarities between that memorable journey and this year’s challenge.

Back in 2002, Senegal stunned defending champions France with a famous 1-0 victory in their opening match. Twenty-four years later, the Teranga Lions once again begin their World Cup campaign against Les Bleus, who enter the tournament as the runners-up from Qatar.

Diouf, who featured in that famous victory over France, reflected on the magnitude of the achievement.

“We beat the best team of the world with Zinedine Zidane, Bixente Lizarazu, Fabian Barthez.”