World Cup 2026: Édouard Mendy ruled out of Belgium clash as Senegal face goalkeeper setback

Senegal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Édouard Mendy for their World Cup round-of-32 tie against Belgium on Wednesday after he suffered a knee injury.

Head coach Pape Thiaw confirmed on Tuesday that the Al-Ahli shot-stopper will miss a second consecutive match following the injury sustained in Senegal’s 3-2 group-stage defeat by Norway.

Mendy has since returned to Saudi Arabia for further assessment and was absent from training at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle. Thiaw, however, said the 34-year-old is expected to rejoin the squad later on Tuesday.

“He’ll be with us tomorrow, of course, even if he won’t be fit to play,” Thiaw said. “We are happy to see him. We hope that he can be with us for the rest of the competition.”

Mendy, who has earned more than 50 caps since his debut in 2019, started all four matches for Senegal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

In his absence, Senegal have two remaining goalkeepers in the squad. Mory Diaw, of French side Le Havre, has already stepped in during the tournament, including a clean sheet performance in the 5-0 win over Iraq after replacing Mendy against Norway.

“Mory had a great performance, he kept a clean sheet,” Thiaw said. “For tomorrow’s game, we hope the goalkeeper will also come up with a clean sheet.”

The third option is Yehvann Diouf of Nice, who has two international caps.

Senegal progressed to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams after finishing on three points in Group G, with a win over Iraq and defeats against France and Norway.

Belgium topped Group G with draws against Egypt and Iran before a 5-1 victory over New Zealand.

The winner of Wednesday’s tie in Seattle will remain in the city to face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina on 6 July.