Senegal has confirmed its preparation schedule for the 2026 World Cup, with the national team set to begin its build-up later this month ahead of the tournament in the United States.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced that head coach Pape Thiaw will unveil his squad for the competition on 21 May during a press conference at the Sonatel headquarters in Dakar’s VDN district. The event will formally reveal the players chosen to represent the Lions of Teranga during the World Cup campaign.
According to the federation’s timetable, the players will officially receive the national flag on 26 May before departing for the United States a day later to continue preparations for the tournament.
The team is expected to hold a training camp after arriving in the United States as part of its final phase of preparation before the competition begins. Senegal will also play two international friendlies designed to help the squad prepare for the challenges ahead.
Their first warm-up match is scheduled for 31 May against hosts the United States. Senegal will then face Saudi Arabia on 9 June in their final fixture before the World Cup gets under way.
The federation confirmed details of the squad announcement in a social media statement issued on 13 May.
“Head coach Pape Thiaw will hold a press conference on May 21, 2026, at the Sonatel headquarters (VDN) to unveil the list of players selected for the 2026 World Cup.On this occasion, the FSF informs media professionals that accreditation requests… pic.twitter.com/9WrbkuPCwL”
The preparations come as Senegal gets ready for another appearance on football’s biggest stage. The West African side has been drawn in Group I alongside France, Iraq and Norway.
Senegal’s opening game will be against France, setting up one of the most anticipated matches in the group stage. The encounter will see the Lions of Teranga face Les Bleus in their first outing of the tournament.
The announcement of the squad is expected to attract significant attention from supporters eager to see which players Pape Thiaw selects for the campaign. Senegal enters the competition with ambitions of making a strong impact after establishing itself as one of Africa’s leading football nations in recent years.
The training camp in the United States is likely to provide the coaching staff with an opportunity to fine-tune tactics and assess player fitness before the opening match. The two friendly fixtures are also expected to play a key role in helping the squad adjust to conditions ahead of the tournament.
With the countdown to the World Cup continuing, Senegal’s preparations are now entering their final stages as the Lions of Teranga look ahead to their opening clash against France.
