Senegal start 2026 World Cup camp without several key players

Senegal have officially begun preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with only a limited number of players taking part in the team’s opening training session at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio on Monday.

Just eight players were present for the first session as coach Pape Thiaw started work with his squad ahead of the tournament.

Among those involved were Sadio Mané, Lamine Camara, Krépin Diatta, Bamba Dieng, Cherif Ndiaye, Abdoulaye Seck, Mory Diaw and Moustapha Mbow.

The session was conducted under the supervision of the technical staff in what was described as a focused and disciplined atmosphere as the Lions of Teranga began their World Cup build-up.

The squad is expected to increase gradually over the coming days as players complete club commitments before joining the national team camp.

Several important players will not travel to Dakar at all due to ongoing club duties in Europe. Ismaïla Sarr, Pathé Ciss and Ibrahim Mbaye are unavailable because of European finals involving their clubs and are instead expected to join the squad directly in the United States.

Their absence from Senegal also means they will miss the official flag-raising ceremony scheduled to take place at the presidential palace in the presence of government authorities.

Senegal’s preparations will continue in the United States, where the team have arranged two friendly matches ahead of the World Cup.

The Lions are set to face the United States men’s national soccer team on 31 May in Charlotte before taking on Saudi Arabia national football team on 9 June in San Antonio.

At the World Cup itself, Senegal will compete in Group I and are due to begin their campaign against France national football team on 16 June at MetLife Stadium.

They will then meet Norway national football team on 23 June before concluding the group stage against Iraq national football team on 26 June in Toronto.