Senegal officially call up former Liverpool star for FIFA World Cup 2026
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesCountries have started naming their squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of this summer’s tournament. Only listed players will be eligible, though replacements are allowed for serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before a team’s first match.Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has been named in Senegal’s 28-man squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The 34-year-old was originally named in Senegal’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but missed the tournament due to a knee injury.Mane, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, was also involved in a controversial moment at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, when he encouraged teammates to return to the pitch after a brief walk-off protest during stoppage time.Senegal went on to win the match in extra time, although a later CAF appeals decision controversially awarded the title to Morocco.He will feature alongside Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr in attack, while Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra and Pape Matar Sarr are also included.Head coach Pape Thiaw must reduce his squad to 26 players before the June 2 deadline. The Senegal international departed Anfield after scoring 120 goals in 269 appearances.Mane won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Liverpool.
He was also part of the sides that finished runners-up in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals.Signed from Southampton for £34m in 2016, Mane became a key figure under Jurgen Klopp, forming a formidable attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah following Salah’s arrival in 2017.Below is Senegal’s World Cup squad:Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre). Defenders: Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray).Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Bara Ndiaye (Bayern Munich).Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris St-Germain), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace).📋 La Liste des 28 Lions retenus par le sélectionneur national Pape Thiaw pour représenter le Sénégal à la Coupe du Monde 2026. #FIFAWC2026 #ListeGaideyi #DemBaJeex pic.twitter.com/lA7qkL9UfV— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) May 21, 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 sadio mane Senegal