Afcon 2021 champions Senegal have made successive World Cups for the first time in their history, and they are aiming to become the first African nation to hold aloft the Jules Rimet Trophy.
Aliou Cisse’s men shattered Egyptian hearts twice this year after first triumphing on penalties in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final in Cameroon, but their task in Qatar has been much harder with the news that playmaker Sadio Mane will miss the tournament through injury.
The Lions of Teranga famously reached the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals with their band of unpredictably entertaining superstars, including El Hadji Diouf, Papa Bouba Diop and captain Aliou Cisse, who now has the managerial reins (and has held the bridle since 2015). And they have got through the first hurdle, qualifying out of Group A.
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Latest Senegal odds to win the World Cup
| Betting Market | Bet UK |
| Senegal to win the World Cup | 110/1 |
| Senegal to reach semi-final odds | 8/5 |
| Senegal to reach quarter-final odds | 3/1 |
Our recommended Senegal bet for World Cup 2022
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In 2002, Senegal became only the second African nation (after Cameroon in 1990) to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup. And their progression was well merited after they beat then defending champions France in the group stage, before beating Sweden in the last 16, with El Hadji Diouf subsequently earning a place in the tournament’s ‘All-star team’. The nation then endured a three-tournament exile between 2006 and 2014, before returning in 2018, though their re-emergence wasn’t quite as spectacular as their 2002 predecessors. Cisse’s men crashed out of the group, despite beating Poland and drawing with Japan.
This time around things went a lot better. After losing their opening match 2-0 to Netherlands, Senegal bounced back with two wins from their next two games, beating Qatar and Ecuador. The latter was a straight shootout for the last 16 with Senegal needing a win to overtake Ecuador, which they managed thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly.
In doing so, Senegal became just the third African nation to qualify for the World Cup knockout round on more than one occasion. They join Nigeria, who have achieved the feat three times, and Ghana who have done so twice but will be looking to make it three this week. The win was also the first for an African nation against a South American side in the World Cup since Cameroon beat Colombia in 1990, ending a winless run of 21 games.
At the heart of Senegal’s win over Ecuador was captain Koulibaly, who scored the winner just after Moises Caicedo had equalised for the South American side, but also put in a solid defensive display. The Chelsea man won all of his tackles, won 10 duels, made 10 clearances, won four fouls and conceded none himself as well as not being dribbled past.
Senegal route to the World Cup 2022 Final in Qatar
Group stage results
| Fixture | Stadium | Date* |
| Senegal 0-2 Netherlands | Al Thumama Stadium | 21 November 2022, 4pm |
| Qatar 1-3 Senegal | Al Thumama Stadium | 25 November 2022, 1pm |
| Ecuador 1-2 Senegal | Khalifa International Stadium | 29 November 2022, 3pm |
*All times GMT
Who could Senegal meet in the knockout rounds?
Second place in Group A will put Senegal against Group B winners England. From there, they’re most likely to face France in the quarters, and then of course, there’s no hiding from the semi-finals onwards.
| Stage | Potential opponent |
| Round of 16 | England |
| Quarter-Final | France |
| Semi-Final | Portugal |
| Final | Brazil |
Confirmed Senegal World Cup 2022 squad
| Player | Position | Age | Club |
| Edouard Mendy | Goalkeeper | 30 | Chelsea |
| Alfred Gomis | Goalkeeper | 29 | Rennes |
| Seny Dieng | Goalkeeper | 27 | QPR |
| Kalidou Koulibaly | Defender | 31 | Chelsea |
| Abdou Diallo | Defender | 26 | RB Leipzig |
| Fode Ballo-Toure | Defender | 25 | Milan |
| Pape Abou Cisse | Defender | 27 | Olympiacos |
| Ismail Jakobs | Defender | 23 | Monaco |
| Formose Mendy | Defender | 21 | Amiens |
| Youssouf Sabaly | Defender | 29 | Betis |
| Moussa N’Diaye | Defender | 20 | Anderlecht |
| Krepin Diatta | Midfielder | 23 | Monaco |
| Idrissa Gueye | Midfielder | 33 | Everton |
| Nampalys Mendy | Midfielder | 30 | Leicester City |
| Cheikhou Kouyate | Midfielder | 32 | Nottingham Forest |
| Pape Matar Sarr | Midfielder | 20 | Tottenham |
| Moustapha Name | Midfielder | 27 | Pafos |
| Pape Gueye | Midfielder | 23 | Marseille |
| Mamadou Loum | Midfielder | 25 | Reading |
| Pathe Ciss | Midfielder | 28 | Rayo Vallecano |
| Bamba Dieng | Forward | 22 | Marseille |
| Ismaila Sarr | Forward | 24 | Watford |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Forward | 22 | Sheffield United |
| Famara Diedhiou | Forward | 29 | Alanyaspor |
| Boulaye Dia | Forward | 26 | Salernitana |
| Nicolas Jackson | Forward | 21 | Villarreal |
Senegal players to watch at this year’s World Cup 2022
Senegal player to watch – Edouard Mendy
Edouard Mendy was a defensive fulcrum for Senegal as they lifted Afcon and qualified for the World Cup.
However, the Chelsea gloveman hasn’t had the easiest of starts to 2022/23, but that should only work to fuel his motivation.
On his day, the towering shot-stopper is impervious and unshakable, two traits that should give Cisse a platform to build from.
Senegal emerging player to look out for – Pape Matar Sarr
Pape Matar Sarr is yet to really get his Tottenham career going, but at only 20, time is still very much on his side.
He emerged from the same academy as two of his more esteemed team-mates (Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly) at Metz. In France, his emergence in the first team prompted Spurs to courier a contract to Lorraine sharpish for the precocious midfielder to sign before other European heavyweights came sniffing.
Highly regarded, Sarr arrived at the World Cup with seven caps for Senegal, and he could still play a key part for Cisse, despite playing just 13 minutes against Qatar so far.
Senegal tactical analysis & likely formation at the World Cup
Cisse appears wedded to a 4-2-3-1 formation, which certainly suits the players at his disposal.
In Mane’s absence, Krepin Diatta accompanied Ismaila Sarr on the flanks, with Boulaye Dia spearheading the attack.
Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate and Nampalys Mendy comprised the three-man midfield in front of the back four of Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Abou Cisse and Abdou Diallo, with Edouard Mendy between the sticks.
Senegal FAQs
Where are Senegal in the Fifa World Rankings?
Senegal are currently ranked 18th in the Fifa World Rankings.
Who is the Senegal manager?
Former PSG, Birmingham and Portsmouth defender Aliou Cisse has been manager since 2015, overseeing their World Cup 2018 campaign. Capped 35 times by his nation during his playing days, Cisse skippered Senegal in the 2002 World Cup as they famously reached the quarter-finals.
Who is the current Senegal captain?
Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly is the current Senegal captain, with Idrissa Gueye functioning as vice-skipper.
How many times have Senegal won the World Cup?
Senegal have never won the World Cup, nor has any other African nation.
How many times have Senegal competed in the World Cup?
Senegal have twice appeared at the World Cup, famously in 2002, and last tournament’s edition in 2018.
Who has scored Senegal’s most goals in World Cup tournaments?
The late Papa Bouba Diop is currently Senegal’s top World Cup goalscorer. He netted three times in 2002, including a brace against Uruguay.
Which player from Senegal has the most World Cup appearances?
Seven players featured in all five of Senegal’s matches during the 2002 World Cup, making them the collective record appearance-makers for the nation. Those include: Ferdinand Coly, Omar Daf, Lamine Diatta, Papa Bouba Diop, Papa Malick Diop, Tony Sylva and of course El-Hadji Diouf.