2026 World Cup qualifiers: Three potential absences already for Senegal? | OneFootball

2026 World Cup qualifiers: Three potential absences already for Senegal?

Three key players may be missing from Senegal's squad for the decisive final two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

This concerns Habib Diarra, Assan Diao, and, most recently, Lamine Camara.

After picking up an injury during training, Habib Diarra, the Sunderland midfielder from the English Premier League, underwent surgery on Monday, September 22, due to a thigh injury. The 21-year-old Lion will be sidelined until December 2025.

As for the young winger Assan Diao, who plays for Italian side Como in Serie A (with two international caps), he suffered an injury on August 16 during an Italian Cup match against Südtirol (3-1). Although he has returned to team training, his coach Cesc Fàbregas prefers to be cautious and "wants him to be 100% fit in 3 to 4 weeks." The former Real Betis player, who is 20 years old, is not expected to be called up for the Teranga Lions' squad.

The latest case concerns an injury to Lamine Camara. In a short space of time, the AS Monaco midfielder has established himself as a key figure in Senegal's midfield. He missed last Saturday's game against Lorient due to a sprained left ankle. Some sources suggest he will return in December, meaning he will miss Senegal's matches in rounds nine and ten of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Pape Thiaw and his team will face South Sudan in Juba on October 10, before wrapping up their qualifying campaign at home against Mauritania on October 14. After snatching top spot in Group B from DR Congo in Kinshasa (3-2), Sadio Mané and his teammates must secure maximum points to guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.