Senegal star Pape Gueye has sent a stern warning to France ahead of the 2026 World Cup clash, stressing the Taranga Lions is capable to securing victory.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions were handed a tricky group following the draw in Washington DC last December.
Senegal will open their World Cup account against their colonial masters, France in a high-stake Group I clash at the global showpiece to be co-hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in North America promises to be an exciting one, with 48 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy.
Pape Gueye, who scored the match-winner at the AFCON 2025 is confident and has sent a strong message to France. For the 27-year-old defender, the Taranga Lions can compete with the big footballing nations.
“It’s going to be a good match, they have a lot of talent, but so do we. We’re going to fight with what we’ve got, I think we can compete with the biggest nations in the world. We can win this kind of match and I hope we will.” He told Telefoot.
Under the tutelage of coach Pape Thiaw, the Taranga Lions will be aiming to surpass their quarterfinal feat chalked back in 20002, giving the squad depth at their disposal.
It will be Senegal’s fourth World Cup appearance, having previously competed in 2002, 2018 and 2022 tournaments, with their best performance coming in 2002 when they reached the quarterfinals.
The Taranga Lions became the second African nation to reach the quarterfinals of the global showpiece after Cameroon, defeating Poland in the last 16 of the tournament. Unfortunately, the African giants were booted out of the competition after falling short to Turkey in the quarterfinals.
In 2018, they reached the group stage, and in 2022, they made it to the round of 16, losing to England 3-0.
