Senegal named a 28-man World Cup squad led by Sadio Mane, who missed the 2022 tournament due to injury. The squad includes Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Ismaila Sarr as forward options, along with Bara Ndiaye as an 18-year-old midfielder. Malang Sarr was not included despite strong form with Lens. Idrissa Gueye returns after injury, with Habib Diarra and Pape Matar Sarr also available in midfield. Kalidou Koulibaly is selected in defense and Edouard Mendy is named as goalkeeper. Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations and will play France, Norway, and Iraq in Group I.
"Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr are other key players joining Mane in Senegal's World Cup forward line. Senegal's Sadio Mane is a key selection in the 28-man World Cup squad named by coach Pape Thiaw as the influential forward looks to make up for lost time, having missed the tournament four years ago through injury. Thiaw will have to trim his squad, announced on Thursday, by two players in advance of the final deadline towards the end of this month."
"Mane remains a leading player for a star-studded Senegal lineup that looks to be the most potent of the 10 African qualifiers in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a blend of experience and youthful athleticism in the squad. The 34-year-old is Senegal's all-time leading goalscorer with 53 in 126 appearances. Al Nassr's Mane is likely to lead the line, but also selected are Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson, plus Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr."
"Bayern's 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye has also been called up, but there is no place for Malang Sarr, who has excelled this season with Lens. Idrissa Gueye, also of Everton, has been included despite missing the tail-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 picked along with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy."
"Senegal were the best team at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and edged the hosts 1-0 in a contentious final that was later awarded to the North Africans, a matter that is 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 in a repeat of their famous 2002 World Cup meeting in which the African side came out on top against the then-holders. They also take on Norway at the same venue on June 22 and Iraq in Toronto on June 26."
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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