World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Senegal's dream team takes shape!

Senegal never tires of chasing dual-nationality talents in preparation for upcoming showdowns, notably the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) and, most likely, the 2026 World Cup.

The latest addition to the Lions' Den is none other than Mamadou Sarr, the Chelsea defender currently on loan at RC Strasbourg, who will miss this international break due to an injury sustained with his club, RC Strasbourg.

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

The 20-year-old has switched his sporting nationality from French to Senegalese, in accordance with FIFA regulations.

With a wealth of established players in Europe, head coach Pape Thiaw could field a true dream team at the next AFCON.

Senegal is expected to line up with the following starting eleven for the next continental showdown:

Édouard Mendy – Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, El Hadji Malick Diouf – Moussa Niakhaté - Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye – Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané.

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.