Bassirou Diomaye Faye has called for nationwide support behind Senegal national football team as the country intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Senegalese president used a cabinet meeting to instruct the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports, working alongside the Senegalese Football Federation, to ensure all necessary measures are taken for the Teranga Lions’ participation in the tournament, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
The intervention comes just days before head coach Pape Thiaw is expected to unveil Senegal’s final World Cup squad during a press conference scheduled for Thursday at the Sonatel headquarters in Dakar.
According to reports, President Faye also used the cabinet session to send a message of encouragement and support to the national team on behalf of the Senegalese nation, underlining the significance of the upcoming tournament for the country.
Senegal are preparing for their fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup and their third consecutive participation following previous campaigns in 2018 and 2022.
The Lions of Teranga reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and will now attempt to build on that progress against another demanding group of opponents.
Drawn alongside France national football team, Norway national football team and Iraq national football team, Senegal face a challenging route to the knockout stages.
Their opening fixture is scheduled for 16 June against France at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before a second group match against Norway at the same venue on 23 June.
Senegal will then conclude their group campaign against Iraq at BMO Field.
The country’s preparations have already entered an advanced stage, with plans confirmed for the squad to receive the national flag from President Faye next Tuesday before travelling to the United States the following day.
Once in North America, Senegal are expected to continue fine-tuning preparations with two international friendlies against the United States men’s national soccer team and Saudi Arabia national football team.
Those matches are intended to help Pape Thiaw’s side arrive at the tournament in the best possible condition.
The build-up also reflects the growing importance football continues to hold within Senegalese society and politics.
President Faye has previously shown strong public support for the national side, notably after Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph against Morocco.
That connection between the government, supporters and national team has become a defining feature of Senegal’s football identity during one of the most successful periods in the country’s sporting history.
The upcoming World Cup therefore carries expectations that extend beyond football alone.
For Senegal, participation represents another opportunity to reinforce the country’s status among Africa’s leading football nations while inspiring a new generation of supporters and players.
Attention will now turn to Thursday’s squad announcement, where supporters are expected to discover which players will carry the nation’s hopes into another global tournament.
With presidential backing, growing national excitement and a carefully structured preparation programme, Senegal appear determined to approach the 2026 World Cup with both ambition and confidence.
