Sadio Mane has been included in Senegal’s 28 man squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, marking his return to the global tournament after heartbreak ruled him out of the 2022 edition in Qatar through injury.
The Senegal national football team squad was unveiled ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several experienced stars and emerging talents selected by head coach Pape Thiaw.
Sadio Mane, who now plays for Al Nassr FC, had been named in Senegal’s squad for the 2022 World Cup but was eventually forced to miss the tournament because of a knee injury suffered shortly before the competition.
The former Liverpool FC and FC Bayern Munich forward was also involved in one of African football’s most controversial moments earlier this year during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
Several Senegal players had walked off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage time penalty, but Mane remained on the field and encouraged his teammates to return and complete the match. Senegal eventually secured victory through an extra time goal from Pape Gueye.
However, an appeals board of the Confederation of African Football later overturned the result and officially declared Morocco champions following the controversial incident.
For the World Cup, Sadio Mane will lead a strong attacking line that also includes Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr.
Experience has also been retained in midfield through the inclusion of Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra and Pape Matar Sarr.
Although a 28 man squad has been announced, Thiaw will still be required to reduce the list to FIFA’s final limit of 26 players before the June 2 deadline.
Senegal will begin their World Cup campaign against France national football team in New Jersey on June 16 before facing Norway national football team on June 22 and Iraq national football team on June 26.
The expanded 48 team FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal’s squad includes goalkeepers Edouard Mendy, Yehvann Diouf and Mory Diaw. Defenders named are Krepin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Abdoulaye Seck, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ilay Camara, Moussa Niakhate, Mamadou Sarr, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Moustapha Mbow and Ismail Jakobs.
The midfield options are Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pathe Ciss and Bara Ndiaye, while the attacking unit features Mane, Bamba Dieng, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Assane Diao, Ibrahim Mbaye, Cherif Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr.
