Senegal’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup reads like a Netflix drama that got renewed for a season nobody expected. The West African side won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final 1-0 against hosts Morocco on January 18, only to have that victory annulled nearly two months later when the Confederation of African Football overturned the result on March 17, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win instead.
With their World Cup group stage opener against France set for June 16, the Lions of Teranga are targeting a semi-final run, which would be the deepest by an African nation in World Cup history.
The AFCON controversy that changed everything
Senegal’s players protested a contentious penalty call during the AFCON final. CAF annulled the entire result and handed Morocco a 3-0 victory.
The squad heading into the World Cup features established names like Sadio Mane and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Both bring major tournament experience, with Mane having been central to Senegal’s 2022 AFCON triumph and Mendy providing the kind of shot-stopping that makes group stage opponents nervous.
