The Senegal national football team arrived in Benghazi, Libya, on Friday, March 21, 2025, in preparation for their pivotal match against Sudan, scheduled for Saturday, March 22, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Without a doubt, this upcoming clash is crucial, not just for points, but for the very essence of their World Cup campaign.
Under the leadership of Coach Pape Thiaw, the Lions are determined to secure a victory that would help them climb to the top of Group B. Currently, Sudan leads with 10 points, while Senegal is right in the chase with 8 points. The stakes couldn’t be higher as they contend not only for points but also for national pride.
Significant news broke just ahead of the match: the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced that FIFA has approved the change of sporting nationality for Yehvann Diouf, Assane Diao, and Antoine Alpha Mendy. These players are now eligible to don the Senegalese jersey, adding depth and talent to the squad.
Diouf and Diao's approval is particularly notable as both have had strong ties to other nations. Diouf, a goalkeeper, has played in youth selections for France and was initially drawn to the Spanish league by former player Cesc Fabregas, who suggested he choose Spain. Nevertheless, the pair will represent Senegal in this vital series of matches, including the subsequent game against Togo on March 25 in Diamniadio.
However, amid these positive developments, there remains uncertainty over Ilay Camara, the Belgian-born player who plays for Standard de Liège. His participation is at risk due to the absence of a response from the Royal Belgian Football Association regarding his international eligibility. The FSF has been proactive, but as of now, Camara's status for the critical match against Sudan is still undetermined. This uncertainty could significantly impact the team’s lineup.
The Senegalese team made their special flight from Dakar to Benghazi on March 21, ensuring they arrived in complete formation, ready to prepare in earnest. Pape Thiaw expressed the satisfaction of the team regarding their travel arrangements, a reflection of support from the Senegalese government, which understood the importance of ensuring the players’ comfort. With morale high and the team well-prepared, Thiaw emphasized their focus on this match, describing it as a “final” in a series of must-win games.
Thiaw stated, “We have made a very good journey thanks to the State of Senegal, which has understood for years now the importance of chartering special flights for the national team to ensure they can perform excellently. Understand that morale is good. We are ready to play this ‘final’ as we do with all other ‘finals’ in Group B.”
This commitment is underscored by Senegal’s recent history in qualifying for consecutive World Cups in 2018 and 2022, heightening the pressure and expectations for the current squad. The coach also shared plans to take the momentum from this match into their upcoming fixtures, stressing the importance of maintaining focus, “Our players understand the stakes for our football, for our country, and for themselves.”
El Hadj Ousseynou Diouf, a former star of Senegal’s national team, expressed confidence in the current squad's capabilities, stating they have what it takes to succeed in both March matches. “We have the assets to win both matches of the March window,” he remarked, further fueling the optimism surrounding the team.
The upcoming match against Sudan is being viewed as more than just another game; it’s a vital turning point in the quest for World Cup qualification this coming year. As the game draws near, fans eagerly await to see if the Lions will roar to victory and take the group lead following a decisive performance.
However, the pressure goes beyond winning. The 2026 World Cup qualifiers also serve as a form of preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The performance in these qualifiers will undoubtedly play a role in shaping the team’s composition and strategy moving forward into the continent’s premier footballing event.
As the Senegalese Lions look to mark their territory in the crowd of their group, determination meets opportunity. The next few days promise to be crucial for Senegal’s ambitions, both for the World Cup and beyond. With their eyes locked on the prize, they will need to channel their skills, strategy, and spirit to secure a place not only in the hearts of fans but in the final tournaments.
