FIFA Ranking #20 · 4 World Cups · Best: Quarter-final
Senegal are Africa's second power after Morocco and arrive led by Sadio Mané, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 and brings Senegal to the tournament as one of the continent's most credible contenders. With Jackson and Mané in attack, Group E offers a genuine path to the knockout rounds.
Group I opponents
Sadio Mané
⭐ Star PlayerAl-Nassr
Forward / Winger
100
Caps
38
Goals
34
Age
African legend, twice African Player of the Year, Champions League winner, and Senegal's all-time greatest — still the team's heartbeat at 34.
Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea
Striker
30
Caps
16
Goals
24
Age
Chelsea's rising striker who brings electric pace and an instinctive finishing touch; Senegal's No. 9 of the future.
Idrissa Gueye
Everton
Defensive Midfielder
95
Caps
5
Goals
35
Age
Relentless, ball-winning midfielder who has been one of the best in his position across three major European leagues.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Al-Hilal
Centre-Back
80
Caps
6
Goals
35
Age
The dominant former Napoli and Chelsea centre-back who captained Senegal to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations title.
All times local to venue. Group stage results determine knockout seedings.
France
FIFA #2
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ
Norway
FIFA #39
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ
Iraq
FIFA #58
BMO Field
Toronto, Canada
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4
Appearances
0
Titles
#20
FIFA Rank
Quarter-final
Best Result
Senegal's debut World Cup appearance in 2002 was sensational — they beat the defending champions France 1–0 on the first day and went on to reach the quarter-finals. That El Hadji Diouf and Papa Bouba Diop-inspired run remains the high watermark; their 2022 campaign ended in the round of 16 but showed real progress under Cissé.
Formation
Wide attacking triangle, pressing high up the pitch
Head Coach
Aliou Cissé
Senegalese · 4-3-3
Aliou Cissé leads Senegal into the 2026 World Cup with a 4-3-3 system built around the squad's strengths.
The three teams Senegal must face in the group stage.
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