Senegal World Cup 2022 guide: Key players, injuries, tactics & tournament prediction

Senegal head into a second consecutive appearance at the World Cup as the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions.

No country from Africa made it through to the last 16 in Russia four years ago, but Senegal are widely fancied to advance from their group and reach the knockout stages this time around.

A number of Senegal's players are playing in Europe's biggest leagues, and there's as much excitement around this side as there ever has been; the Lions of Teranga have only ever appeared in the World Cup twice before now.

Here's what to expect from them at the 2022 World Cup.

When are Senegal's group games?

Senegal vs Netherlands (November 21, 16:00 GMT)
Qatar vs Senegal (November 25, 13:00 GMT)
Ecuador vs Senegal (November 29, 15:00 GMT)

Senegal vs Netherlands H2H record: Played 0
Senegal vs Qatar H2H record: Played 0
Senegal vs Ecuador H2H record: Played 0

Who is in Senegal's confirmed 26-player squad for the World Cup?

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Seny Dieng (QPR)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Formose Mendy (Amiens)

Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Moustapha Name (Pafos), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano)

Forwards: Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Nicolas Jackson (Villareal), Ilman Ndiaye (Sheffield United), Boulave Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor)

Which Senegal players are missing the World Cup through injury?

Bayern Munich's Bouna Sarr was the biggest name missing the World Cup through injury for Senegal before the decision was finally taken to rule Sadio Mane out officially.

Mane limped off 20 minutes into Bayern's penultimate game before the start of the tournament but was still included in the initial squad, but after an admission that he would not be available for the opening games, Senegal have now confirmed that Mane won't feature at all.

Who are Senegal's best players?

Idrissa Gueye remains integral to Senegal's plans / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly is Senegal's rock in central defence, and their chances of making the last 16 will depend hugely on his level of performance.

The Chelsea star is treading new ground in the Premier League with Chelsea and his experience of playing at the highest level could help Senegal in the big moments.

Edouard Mendy

Edouard Mendy is one of the world's most outstanding goalkeepers, though he has lost his way in recent times at club level.

Replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga as Chelsea's number one, Mendy will feel he has a point to prove for Senegal - and what better stage to do it than the biggest one of all.

Idrissa Gueye

Idrissa Gueye has been a midfield stalwart for Senegal over the past decade, and is closing in on 100 caps for his country.

In fact, Gueye, who recently returned to Everton after a stint at Paris Saint-Germain, could reach the landmark appearance figure if Senegal reach the knockout stages - clear incentive for him to be at his absolute best for Aliou Cisse.

Senegal predicted starting lineup

Aliou Cisse has generally favoured a 4-3-3 setup during his time as Senegal boss, and there's no reason to think he won't continue with the winning formula.

Senegal predicted XI: Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ballo-Toure; Gueye, Mendy, Sarr; Sarr, Dia, Jackson.

Senegal's form going into the World Cup

Senegal's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations success was actually held during this calendar year, so it's been a pretty good 12 months for them.

Victory over Egypt in their World Cup play-off was another huge feather in their camp, and they've won all but one of their subsequent AFCON qualifiers.

Senegal's last five results (all competitions)

Senegal 1-1 Eswatani (10-9 pens)
Zambia 4-3 Senegal
Mozambique 1-1 Senegal (2-4 pens)
Senegal 2-0 Bolivia
Senegal 1-1 Iran

Where will Senegal finish in the World Cup?

There's a lot of optimism surroudning Senegal ahead of the World Cup for a number of reasons.

Not only do they have a number of talented players and a manager who knows how to set them up, they've also been handed a relatively kind draw, only needing to score more points than Qatar and Ecuador to reach the last 16.

They should be able to do that, but will probably finish second to the Netherlands and therefore face England (in all probability) in the next round. While they'd certainly have a chance against Gareth Southgate's men, beating them is maybe too big a task.

Prediction: Round of 16

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