Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly Lead Senegal’s World Cup Squad

Senegal forward Sadio Mane is a key selection in coach Pape Thiaw’s 28-man World Cup squad, as the influential player looks to make up for lost time after missing the tournament four years ago through injury.

Thiaw must trim the squad by two players before the final deadline at the end of this month, after announcing the provisional list on Thursday.

Mane remains a leading figure in a star-studded Senegal lineup that appears to be the strongest among the 10 African qualifiers for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, blending experience with youthful athleticism.

The 34-year-old is Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in 126 appearances.

Al Nassr’s Mane is expected to lead the attack, joined by Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr.

Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye has been called up, but there is no place for Malang Sarr, who has impressed this season with Lens.

Idrissa Gueye, also of Everton, is included despite missing the end of the season through injury, with Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr also midfield options.

Experienced centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has been selected, along with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal were the best team at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, edging the hosts 1-0 in a contentious final later awarded to the North Africans, a matter now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Senegal have been drawn in Group I at the World Cup and open their campaign against France on June 16 in New Jersey, a repeat of their famous 2002 World Cup meeting where the African side defeated the then-holders.

They also face Norway at the same venue on June 22 and Iraq in Toronto on June 26.

Senegal reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002 before losing to Turkey, their best showing to date, and for several players of the so-called “Golden Generation,” including Mane, this will likely be their last opportunity to improve on that.

They exited in the group stage after a drawing of lots in 2018 in Russia and in the round of 16 four years ago in Qatar.

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Yehvann Diouf, Mory Diaw

Defenders: Krepin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Abdoulaye Seck, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ilay Camara, Moussa Niakhate, Mamadou Sarr, El-Hadji Malick Diouf, Moustapha Mbow, Ismail Jakobs

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pathe Ciss, Bara Ndiaye

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Bamba Dieng, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Assane Diao, Ibrahim Mbaye, Cherif Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr