Senegal have become the first African side to arrive in the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as preparations intensify for the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga officially landed in the US on 28 May 2026 and have now begun a pre-tournament training camp aimed at helping the squad adjust to local conditions before the competition begins.
The West African nation is also scheduled to play two international friendly matches as part of its final build-up to the World Cup.
Senegal will first face hosts the United States in a friendly on 31 May before taking on Saudi Arabia on 9 June.
The friendlies are expected to provide valuable preparation for the team before it opens its World Cup campaign later in June.
Senegal have been drawn into a challenging group that includes France, Norway and Iraq.
Their first group-stage fixture will be against France on 16 June in what is expected to be one of the standout matches involving African opposition during the opening phase of the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga will then meet Norway on 23 June before concluding their group matches against Iraq on 26 June.
The early arrival in the United States underlines Senegal’s intention to maximise preparation time ahead of the expanded global tournament.
Holding a training camp before the World Cup allows teams to adapt to weather conditions, training facilities and travel arrangements while also giving coaching staff additional time to work with players before competitive action begins.
Senegal’s preparations will also include the opportunity to test themselves against strong international opponents before the start of the tournament.
The meeting with the United States will provide the African side with an early challenge against the host nation, while the encounter with Saudi Arabia is expected to offer another competitive examination before the World Cup group stage begins.
The Lions of Teranga head into the competition as one of Africa’s leading representatives and will be aiming to progress from a group featuring European opposition and Middle Eastern challengers.
Their opening game against France could prove crucial in shaping their campaign, with further matches against Norway and Iraq likely to determine qualification hopes.
By arriving in the United States ahead of other African nations, Senegal have signalled their determination to be fully prepared for the demands of the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to bring together nations from across the globe, with teams now beginning their final phase of preparation before the competition officially gets underway.
