Sadio Mané has been included in Senegal's 28-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head coach Pape Thiaw confirming the Al-Nassr forward's place among a strong group of Europe-based stars.

Mané's inclusion carries particular significance. The 34-year-old missed Senegal's last World Cup appearance in Qatar in 2022 through a knee injury, despite being named in the original squad. This summer's tournament in the United States offers him a chance to finally compete on the game's biggest stage in a Senegal shirt.

Afcon controversy still fresh

Mané was at the centre of one of African football's most dramatic recent moments in January's Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. He was the only Senegal player who remained on the pitch when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, urging his team-mates to return and complete the match. Senegal went on to win through a Pape Gueye goal in extra-time.

However, the Confederation of African Football later reversed that result, declaring Morocco the Afcon winners following Senegal's controversial walkoff. The episode cast a long shadow, making this World Cup all the more important for Mané and his nation.

A formidable attacking lineup

Mané will be surrounded by considerable firepower in attack. Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson, Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr are all included, giving Thiaw a wealth of options across the frontline.

In midfield, Everton's Idrissa Gueye, Sunderland's Habib Diarra, and Tottenham Hotspur's Pape Matar Sarr have all been selected, while the squad also features goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, now at Al-Ahli, and defender Kalidou Koulibaly of Al-Hilal.

Squad must be trimmed

Thiaw is required to reduce his 28-man group to the FIFA-mandated 26 players before the 2 June deadline. Two players will miss out ahead of what promises to be a demanding group stage.

Senegal open their campaign on 16 June against France in New Jersey — a mouth-watering encounter — before facing Norway on 22 June and Iraq on 26 June. The expanded 48-team tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Full Senegal World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre).

Defenders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray).

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Bara Ndiaye (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris St-Germain), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace).