Our Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026 team previews continue with a look at Senegal.
Like in 2002’s famous shock victory, the Lions of Teranga will begin against their former colonial superiors, France.
Current head coach Pape Thiaw was an unused substitute on that incredible day, but his backheel assisted a dramatic golden goal in the Round of 16, before their quarter-final elimination. Senegal have since gone on to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, making this their third in a row.
However, an unfortunate draw has them only third favourites to win Group I, according to bookies’ odds. But, in such an expanded format, that could still be enough for progression.
In these country-by-country guides, we’ll be looking at the best players from each nation, reviewing the road to the World Cup and more.
THE SENEGAL SQUAD
It’s an impressively recognisable squad that contains 20 players who’ve just completed a ‘Big Five’ domestic league campaign.
- READ MORE: All 48 final squads for the World Cup
Sadio Mane ($7.6m) is here and hopefully able to play, unlike in 2022. Meanwhile, there are lots of familiar Fantasy Premier League names (FPL), such as Ismaila Sarr ($6.2m), Pape Matar Sarr ($5.6m), Iliman Ndiaye ($6.5m), El Hadji Malick Diouf ($4.1m), Habib Diarra ($6.2m) and Idrissa Gueye ($4.9m).
Current Chelsea asset Mamadou Sarr ($4.7m) is included alongside former Blues Edouard Mendy ($4.5m) and Kalidou Koulibaly ($4.9m). Their centre-forward, Nicolas Jackson ($6.7m), has been on loan at Bayern Munich.
THE ROAD TO QUALIFICATION
Qualification was a close contest between Senegal and DR Congo, and last September’s comeback win from 2-0 down in Kinshasa proved crucial.
Thiaw’s side accumulated Africa’s second-best non-penalty expected goals (NPxG, 18.65) tally, although nine teams bettered a total of 134 shots. They simply made sure such attempts were of a better quality, coming first for xG per shot (0.14).
Defensively, eight clean sheets from 10 looks good. Although they should have conceded 5.57 times rather than three, gifting a high 94 shots and 21 big chances to opponents.
Above: African teams sorted by xG and xG conceded per 90 minutes in qualification
BIGGEST GOAL THREATS IN QUALIFICATION
*Note: the xG in the above table is non-penalty
Al-Nassr’s Mane led the way with five goals and 22 efforts, ending as the continent’s third-best for NPxG (4.27).
Elsewhere, three pre-season goals saw Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Sarr have minor FPL popularity heading into 2025/26. Such attacking threat was further showcased in these qualifiers, netting four times from 18 shots.
From fewer minutes than both, Ismaila Sarr delivered three goals and 3.25 NPxG.
MOST CREATIVE PLAYERS
As for assists, they were thoroughly spread out.
Perhaps our only creativity clues come from the ‘key passes’ column, dominated by Mane and Monaco’s Krepin Diatta ($6.1m). The latter takes a lot of set plays.
SINCE QUALIFICATION
| Date | Opposition | Competition | Result | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 November 2025 | v Brazil (n) | Friendly | 0-2 | |
| 18 November 2025 | v Kenya (n) | Friendly | 8-0 | Jackson (x2), Diouf, Mane (x3, inc pen), Mbaye, C Ndiaye (pen) |
| 23 December 2025 | v Botswana (n) | AFCON | 3-0 | Jackson (x2), C Ndiaye |
| 27 December 2025 | v DR Congo (n) | AFCON | 1-1 | Mane |
| 30 December 2025 | v Benin (n) | AFCON | 3-0 | Seck, Diallo, C Ndiaye |
| 3 January 2026 | v Sudan (n) | AFCON | 3-1 | P Gueye (x2), Mbaye |
| 9 January 2026 | v Mali (n) | AFCON | 1-0 | I Ndiaye |
| 14 January 2026 | v Egypt (n) | AFCON | 1-0 | Mane |
| 18 January 2026 | v Morocco (a) | AFCON | 0-3 | (originally a 1-0 win) |
| 28 March 2026 | v Peru (n) | Friendly | 2-0 | Jackson, I Sarr |
| 31 March 2026 | v Gambia (h) | Friendly | 3-1 | Seck, Mbaye, Camara |
| 31 May 2026 | v United States (a) | Friendly | 2-3 | Mane (x2) |
| 9 June 2026 | v Saudi Arabia (n) | Friendly | 0-0 |
One year ago, just before their closing spurt of qualifiers, Senegal beat England 3-1 at the City Ground. Sarr, Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly did the damage.
But it’s an achievement to get this far without mentioning what happened in the controversial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Morocco.
As a tense 0-0 entered second-half stoppage time, the referee ruled out a Senegal goal just before awarding the hosts a penalty. This combination of dubious decisions enraged players and coaching staff, so Thiaw told his troops to leave the pitch.
After over 15 minutes of ugly scenes inside the stadium, players eventually reemerged. The match continued, Morocco’s spot kick was missed, and Pape Gueye ($5.9m) won the trophy in extra-time for Senegal.
Yet the confederation overturned this result in March, saying the walk-off was a forfeit and declaring Morocco as champions. This is currently under appeal.
From a Fantasy perspective, Senegal’s goals were evenly distributed. Two each for Mane, Jackson, Gueye and supersub Cherif Ndiaye ($4.9m).
Subsequent friendly wins over Peru and Gambia weren’t particularly testing. The two most recent friendlies featured mixed line-ups, the latter of which saw Koulibaly, I Sarr, P Sarr, I Gueye and Jackson only feature off the bench:
Above image from BBC Sport
WORLD CUP FIXTURES
Here, we see an African side boasting actual squad depth. Their high-pressing 4-3-3 system features a dynamic midfield and genuine counter-attacking threat.
Having said that, it might be best to be patient regarding Senegal and stay away until Round 3. Using a Wildcard at this point is basically an FPL Free Hit, so managers can go big on the clash versus Iraq.
Based in New York and Toronto, Round 1 is only their second ever meeting with France.
TOP FANTASY PICKS
As of now, each part of this squad is eligible for the Scouting Bonus, as none are anywhere near 5.0% ownership. Due to tough fixtures, only Sadio Mane ($7.6m) and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy ($4.5m) exceed 1.0%.
The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star is listed as a Fantasy midfielder, seeking redemption after 2022’s cruel knee injury.
Both he and Nicolas Jackson ($6.7m) scored a penalty during qualifying, but the 34-year-old Mane should be their main taker.
Senegal’s all-time top marksman by quite a distance, AFCON’s Player of the Tournament is the best route into attack.
Paying respect to 2002’s El Hadji Diouf, let’s mention attacking left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf ($4.1m).
His debut West Ham United season, following a £19 million transfer from Slavia Prague, brought four early assists before settling on six of them – one of FPL’s leading defenders for both crosses (108) and chances created (29).
Internationally, he bagged a goal in November’s friendly win over Kenya. He’s also on a share of set pieces, and is Senegal’s leading chance creator (five) in this year’s friendlies.
What puts him above the previously mentioned creativity of Krepin Diatta ($6.1m) is that his right-sided colleague is instead listed as a Fantasy World Cup midfielder.
There is a slight rotation risk with Ismail Jakobs ($4.1m), so if you really want to eliminate any jeopardy, Moussa Niakhate ($4.3m) is probably the best bet.
