World Cup 2026: Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly declares himself fit and ready for France clash

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has declared himself fit and ready for the 2026 World Cup opening game against France.

The experienced defender had been a major doubt for the opener after sustaining an injury while on club duty a weeks ago.

However, Koulibaly has now provided a reassuring message, confirming that he is ready to play his part as Senegal begin their quest for a strong start at the tournament being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking ahead of the clash, the 34-year-old stressed that he is available for selection and that the final decision rests with head coach Pape Thiaw.

“I am fit and available for the team,” Koulibaly said. “The manager will make his choices, without any pressure. The most important thing is that the team starting the match does everything possible to secure victory tomorrow.”

Koulibaly’s declaration comes as a major boost for Senegal, who will be looking to rely on the leadership and experience of their captain against one of the tournament favourites.

The former Napoli and Chelsea defender remains a cornerstone of the Senegalese backline and is expected to play a crucial role in containing France’s formidable attacking threat. His presence would also provide valuable guidance to a squad aiming to make a significant impact on the global stage.

Senegal head into the tournament with growing confidence following a series of encouraging results in recent months, including a notable victory over France in a pre-World Cup friendly. Those performances have strengthened belief within the camp that the two-time African champions can compete with the world’s best teams.

The clash against France is widely regarded as one of the standout fixtures of the opening round of group-stage matches, with both sides expected to challenge for qualification to the knockout rounds.

With fitness concerns now seemingly behind him, Koulibaly’s focus is firmly on helping Senegal secure a positive result and begin their World Cup campaign on the right note.

His availability will undoubtedly come as welcome news for coach Thiaw, who hopes his captain’s experience and leadership can inspire the Lions of Teranga in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.