After making just its second World Cup appearance in Russia, Senegal announced itself on the global stage earlier this year. The Lions of Teranga entered the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the favorites and left with their first title. A penalty-kick victory over Egypt in the final (the first of two such wins in quick succession) was a milestone achievement for a side that deserved recognition for its plethora of talent.
Senegal looks the part of a team full of veterans in the middle of their primes. Sadio Mané, who moved from Liverpool to Bayern Munich this past summer, was at the peak of his powers before an injury just two weeks before the start of the tournament jeopardized his status for Qatar. Mané is making the trip and has a shot at playing in the team’s opener vs. the Netherlands on Nov. 21. His health will prove crucial if Senegal hopes to make a run at winning the group.
But the team is far deeper than just its superstar. Idrissa Gana Gueye, who could become the nation’s all-time most-capped player in Qatar, leads an experienced midfield. At the back, center back Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, teammates at Chelsea, have been superb in the Senegal shirt.
Manager Aliou Cissé’s side reached the World Cup by beating Egypt yet again on penalty kicks in the qualifying playoff round. This may be the most complete African team to enter a World Cup in years. Now continental champion for the first time, Senegal has a favorable group and enough talent to match its 2002 feat of reaching the quarterfinals—or even more, make an unprecedented run in Qatar.
Group A Schedule (all times Eastern)
- Netherlands, Nov. 21, 11 a.m.
- Qatar, Nov. 25, 8 a.m.
- Ecuador, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.
Coach
Aliou Cissé, hired in March 2015
SFSI/Imago Images
Players to Watch
Sadio Mané, forward
The nation’s all-time leading goalscorer is back for more after leading his team to the AFCON title. Mané finished second in the Ballon d’Or race, and for good reason. The injury to his right leg may hamper him, and the hopes of his nation rest on its status. Even still, he’s the best forward in Group A and will be the primary difference-maker in Senegal’s attack provided he is fit.
Édouard Mendy, goalkeeper
The Chelsea goalkeeper hasn’t been in the best of form with his club this season, but rest assured that he’ll be one of the best shot-stoppers in Qatar. The 6’5” Mendy’s athleticism and reflexes make scoring past him a tall order—the 30-year-old allowed just two goals in five matches in the AFCON victory.
Kalidou Koulibaly, center back
While Mendy deserves his credit, Koulibaly’s presence on the Senegal back line has been just as crucial to his side’s recent success. Another physically imposing defender, his recent move to Chelsea from Napoli has him playing consistently with Mendy against some of the world’s top players.
GEPA pictures/Johannes Friedl/Imago Images
Breakout Candidate
Ismaïla Sarr, forward
Sarr, 24, didn’t feature much in Senegal’s AFCON run, but he’ll be an important piece of the attack in Qatar. A down year last year saw him score just five goals for Watford in the Premier League, but he’s found new life after relegation to the championship, scoring six and assisting three in 16 matches.
Senegal will need to eventually find a replacement for Mané once its superstar runs out of gas. Sarr isn’t there yet, but he has the tools to become a very good forward for his national team, with a knack for finding space in front of goal and good finishing ability. The opportunity will be there for him to prove himself at his first World Cup, as he’ll likely start as a winger to the left of his superstar countryman.
World Cup History
- Third appearance
- Last appearance: 2018
- Best finish: Quarterfinalist in 2002
Outlook and Expectations
This World Cup is all about momentum for Senegal. The 2018 tournament appearance, the nation’s first in 16 years, ended in heartbreak when the team lost out on a knockout-stage appearance due to a tiebreaker with Japan that awarded a spot to the side with the fewer yellow cards. But the effort did not go unnoticed—Senegal was on the cusp of competing with the world’s best.
The Group A draw should present a prime opportunity for the nation’s second knockout stage appearance; Qatar and Ecuador, while pesky, shouldn’t contend for the group. If Senegal can pick up a result against the Netherlands, then topping Group A gives it a manageable path back to the quarterfinals. No African side has ever reached a World Cup semifinal. If any team could finally break through, it’s this one.
World Cup Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Édouard Mendy (Chelsea)
DEFENDERS: Fodé Ballo-Touré (AC Milan), Pape Abou Cissé (Olympiacos), Abdou Diallo (Leipzig), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis)
MIDFIELDERS: Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Nottingham Forest), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Moustapha Name (Pafos), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham)
