World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Huge blow for Senegal !

Habib Diarra has suffered a setback after picking up a groin injury during a training session with his English club. The Senegalese midfielder has undergone surgery and will be sidelined for several weeks.

Also read: 2025 U20 World Cup: The full schedule for the first round

Sunderland has provided an update on the condition of its Senegalese midfielder, Habib Diarra. In a statement released on X this Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the English club announced that the 21-year-old underwent surgery on Monday and will now begin a rehabilitation period at the Academy of Light.

The Premier League's seventh-placed side clarified that the former Strasbourg player is expected to return in December. As a result, he will miss Senegal's final two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Sudan and Mauritania, scheduled for October.

His participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is not in jeopardy, although he may miss part of the preparations, particularly the November friendlies.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.