At 34, Sadio Mane is back where he belongs — in Senegal's World Cup squad. The Al-Nassr forward has earned his place in coach Pape Thiaw's 28-man roster for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, capping a remarkable return after a painful absence that defined his last World Cup cycle.
Two years ago, Mane was named to Senegal's 2022 Qatar squad but never got to play. A knee injury sidelined him from the tournament entirely, a crushing blow for a player of his caliber and a loss for his country. Now, having rebuilt himself at Al-Nassr, he has been rewarded with a second chance — something that matters deeply in a competition where time moves quickly and chances don't often repeat.
What makes Mane's selection especially poignant is his character. At January's Africa Cup of Nations final, Mane remained on the pitch even as the match spiraled into controversy. When Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, he was there. When Senegal's players contemplated walking off the field in protest, Mane was the voice calling them back, urging them to finish what they'd started. Pape Gueye's goal in extra-time gave Senegal the win on the field — though the Confederation of African Football later overturned the result, declaring Morocco champions after Senegal's controversial walkoff. The injustice was real. Mane's leadership in that moment, however, was unmistakable.
Now he will lead Senegal's attack at the World Cup alongside a blend of young talent and proven experience. Nicolas Jackson brings the Bayern Munich pedigree, Iliman Ndiaye carries Everton's physicality, and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr adds pace and craft. In midfield, Idrissa Gueye from Everton anchors the team alongside Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland's Habib Diarra. The squad is woven through with players from Europe's top leagues — Kalidou Koulibaly from Al-Hilal in defense, Edouard Mendy in goal at Al-Ahli, and reinforcements from Chelsea, Lyon, Monaco and beyond.
Senegal's path to the knockout stages will test them immediately. They open on June 16 in New Jersey against France, the defending world champions, before facing Norway on June 22 and Iraq on June 26. It's a schedule that demands composure and precision from day one.
Coach Thiaw must trim his squad from 28 to the FIFA-mandated 26 players by June 2, meaning two will miss out despite making the cut. But the core is set. With Mane back, fit and motivated by redemption, Senegal enters the 48-team expanded World Cup with a genuine chance to make noise. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 across three nations, and Senegal — the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions and a team that reached the World Cup final in 2002 — knows it belongs at the biggest stage of all.