Teranga Lions Receive Presidential Blessing Ahead of 2026 World Cup Departure

Senegal have announced a provisional 28-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ where they will face France, Iraq and Norway in Group I.

Coach Pape Thiaw, who played for the Lions of Teranga during their historic quarter-final run at Korea/Japan 2002, has selected a host of experienced players, including Idrissa Gueye, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy.

Premier League stars Habib Diarra, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Ismaila Sarr, Mamadou Sarr, Pape Matar Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye have also been included. Teenagers Ibrahim Mbaye and Bara Ndiaye, who play for Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich respectively, will also travel to North America.

The Teranga Lions are on their way to the Presidential Palace in Dakar for the traditional flag-handover ceremony with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, marking their final send-off before departing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The squad, led by coach Pape Thiaw, has been drawn in Group I and will face European powerhouses France, Norway, and Iraq. Before flying out to their tournament bases, the players are participating in this time-honored ceremony to officially receive the national colors and the nation's blessing.