World Cup 2026: Ibrahim Mbaye targets glory as Senegal prepare for final warm-up

Ibrahim Mbaye has declared that Senegal will “do everything we can to win the World Cup” as the Lions of Teranga enter the final stage of their preparations ahead of Tuesday’s warm-up match against Saudi Arabia in San Antonio.

The forward, who recently lifted the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, is set to feature in his first World Cup after being integrated into the national team set-up in 2025.

Since then, he has quickly established himself within Pape Thiaw’s squad, offering pace and attacking versatility to Senegal’s forward line.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mbaye was open about the scale of Senegal’s ambition, insisting the group is focused on achieving what would be a historic first World Cup triumph for the nation.

“We’re going to do everything we can to win the World Cup. It’s true that’s what we’re still missing. We have to do everything we can to go as far as possible.

We all dream of it, and I think it’s totally possible. As a footballer, you can only dream of winning a World Cup,” he said.

Despite the intensity of the competition ahead, the PSG forward made clear that he does not intend to alter his approach or hold back in the final stages of preparation.

“Preserving myself to prepare for the World Cup? No, I’m not preserving myself. You always have to give 100%. It’s important because if you start holding back, you’re more likely to get injured. So you always have to play your heart out,” he added.

Senegal’s build-up has included a 3-2 defeat against the United States, a result that highlighted both attacking promise and defensive vulnerabilities. The squad now turns its attention to their final warm-up fixture before the tournament begins.

The Lions will face France on 18 June in their opening match of the World Cup, which is being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The fixture is expected to be one of the standout early encounters of the competition.

Mbaye, however, remains confident that Senegal are ready for the challenge, stressing belief within the squad ahead of the tournament opener.

“Everyone wants to win. We feel good. As I’ve already said, we’re going to do everything we can to beat France, because it’s an important match,” he said.

Senegal now head into their final preparations with optimism and ambition, aiming to begin their World Cup campaign with a strong statement against one of the tournament favourites.