Overview
- Coach Pape Thiaw unveiled the expanded squad on Thursday, creating a shortlist that will be reduced to the official 26-player roster before the tournament.
- The selection keeps veteran leaders Sadio Mané, captain Kalidou Koulibaly, goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye in Senegal’s core.
- The provisional group blends experienced internationals with younger talents such as Bara Ndiaye, Lamine Camara and Assane Diao to test form, fitness and team chemistry.
- Senegal plans to use pre-tournament training and reported friendlies as final exams for the squad, with matches scheduled before the World Cup to help decide the two players who will be cut.
- The announcement arrives while Senegal prepares for a tough Group I with France, Norway and Iraq and while the federation pursues an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the disputed AFCON final decision.