Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy ruled out of Al-Ahli’s opening league game

Edouard Mendy will miss Al-Ahli’s opening match of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season as the Senegal goalkeeper continues to recover from a knee injury suffered at the World Cup.

The 34-year-old captain will not be available when Al-Ahli travel to face Al-Diriyah on Thursday evening at 6pm GMT.

Mendy has not featured in any of Al-Ahli’s pre-season friendly matches as he continues his recovery. The goalkeeper sustained the knee injury during Senegal’s 3-2 defeat by Norway at the World Cup.

His absence is an early setback for Al-Ahli, who have undergone significant changes during the summer transfer window.

The club have seen several important figures leave, including midfielders Franck Kessié and Riyad Mahrez, while coach Matthias Jaissle has also departed.

Mendy’s continued absence means Al-Ahli will begin the new campaign without their captain and first-choice goalkeeper, despite the Senegal international having enjoyed a strong season previously.

The former Stade de Reims, Stade Rennais and Chelsea goalkeeper joined Al-Ahli as an experienced figure and has since established himself as an important member of the squad.

His latest injury setback now leaves the club waiting for his return as they begin their title campaign.

Mendy was among the players who missed Al-Ahli’s preparations for the new season because of the injury. Although his recovery is progressing, he has not yet regained full fitness in time for the league opener.

Al-Ahli’s first fixture of the new campaign therefore comes without one of their most experienced players, with Mendy continuing his rehabilitation away from competitive action.

The Senegalese goalkeeper is expected to have more time to complete his recovery, but his absence for the opening fixture represents an early challenge for a side already adapting to several changes.

Al-Ahli will begin their 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign against Al-Diriyah without their captain, while Mendy continues his recovery from the knee problem sustained at the World Cup.