World Cup 2026: Souleymane Diawara sets quarter-final target for Senegal

Senegal must aim to reach at least the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup, according to former international defender Souleymane Diawara, who says the team should build on their 2022 performance and set higher expectations for the upcoming tournament.

Diawara, who earned 48 caps for the Lions, outlined the objective while appearing in Dakar for a special live edition of RMC’s “After Foot” programme, broadcast from the Senegalese capital. He said Senegal must approach the competition with discipline, focus, and a step-by-step mentality.

He stressed that while ambition is important, the team must avoid overthinking the tournament and instead concentrate on each match individually.

Diawara also expressed confidence in head coach Pape Thiaw, who will be leading the side into his first major international tournament in charge, according to reports from APS.

Senegal are currently in the midst of their final preparations ahead of the World Cup. After a defeat to the United States in a recent friendly, the team are scheduled to continue their build-up with another test match against Saudi Arabia in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday at 11:00 PM GMT.

Following that fixture, the squad will travel on June 11 to their training base in New Jersey as they complete preparations for the tournament.

At the World Cup, Senegal have been drawn into a challenging group that includes France, Norway, and Iraq. Their campaign will begin on June 16 against France at New York Stadium, before a second group match against Norway on June 23 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The final group fixture will see them face Iraq on June 26 in Toronto.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, runs from June 11 to July 19, with Senegal aiming to surpass their previous achievements on the global stage.

Diawara’s comments add further expectation around the team’s progress, as attention turns to whether the Lions of Teranga can meet the standards set by their former defender.