Senegal announce squad for March international break; Sadio Mane included

The Lions of Teranga will face Sudan and Togo in the qualifiers.

Six players have been added to Senegal’s roster by head coach Pape Thiaw for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Sudan on March 22 and Togo on March 25.

Assane Diao of Como, Antoine Mendy of Nice, Yehvann Diouf of Reims, Ilay Camara of Standard Liège, Cheikh Niasse of Hellas Verona, and Richard Sagna of AS Douanes are some of the newcomers.

With Thiaw aiming to incorporate younger players after injuries and the aging of some important players from the team that won the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, this squad ushers in a new era for the Lions of Teranga.

The addition of 19-year-old Assane Diao, who was at the heart of an international game of tug between Senegal and Spain, is the main talking point in Thiaw’s selection.

After weeks of rumors, the young Como winger formally committed to Senegal, turning down Spain’s attempts to keep him. He had previously played for Spain’s youth teams.

After speaking with Thiaw directly, Diao made his decision. He will now play in these important qualifiers for the first time as a senior international.

Senegal’s main goal is to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup early. So these games against Sudan and Togo will be essential to securing their top spot in their group.

Senegal announce squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Edouardo Mendy (Al-Ahli), Mory Diaw (Clermont), Yehvann Diouf (Reims)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon), Abdou Diallo (Al-Arabi), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa N’Diaye (Anderlecht), Ilay Camara (Liège), Antoine Mendy (Nice) 

Midfielders: Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikh Niasse (Hellas Verona), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Krépin Diatta (Monaco), Dion Lopy (Almería), Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), Assane Diao (Como), Abdallah Sima (Brighton & Hove Albion), Boulaye Dia (Lazio), Habib Diallo (Al-Shabab), Cherif Ndiaye (Red Star Belgrade), Richard Sagna (AS Douanes)

🚨SENEGAL SQUAD MARCH 2025 🆕: Ilay Camara (Standard Liege) , Assane Diao (Como), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Richard Sagna (AS Douanes 🇸🇳), Yehvann Diouf (Reims) Moussa Ndiaye first call up since Qatar 2022 pic.twitter.com/Adzr1T5nQY

— Senegal Football (@SenegalEnglish) March 13, 2025

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