2026 World Cup | What should France expect from Senegal? | OneFootball

Senegal arrive in North America in fine shape. They dominated their qualification group, becoming one of the first African sides to punch their ticket to the finals. Goals are easy to come by thanks to a freshened-up frontline and the defence is its usual sturdy self. However, Senegal’s history at the World Cup is complex: despite being African champions heading into Qatar 2022, they could not better the record run to the quarter-finals of 2002. They left Morocco in January as African champions once more but have since had their title stripped by the Confederation of African Football after its appeal board decided that Senegal “forfeited the final” when some players left the pitch in protest at Morocco being awarded a late penalty.

Their coach, Pape Thiaw, who describes his team as “ambitious outsiders” rather than one of the favourites this summer, has taken a tactical decision to integrate some younger players into his squad while moving away from some of the veteran names who went to Qatar. This regeneration is evident on the pitch: six players have virtually no World Cup experience whatsoever. “I want to see a team that plays without the weight of the past – I have opted for a faster and younger profile,” Thiaw said. While Kalidou Koulibaly remains the captain and heart of the defence, the identity of the team has shifted to a game based on possession and dynamic movement.

Recent tournaments, aside from the most recent Cup of Nations, have ended fairly brutally: a damaging defeat by England in the last 16 of the last World Cup and a penalty shootout exit at the same stage at Afcon 2023. These scars have prompted a more flexible tactical approach – the Lions of Teranga have reverted to a 4-3-3 formation after a brief and unsuccessful attempt to play three at the back during qualifying. In attack, Thiaw has the speed of Ismaïla Sarr and Nicolas Jackson, supported by the vision of Lamina Camara in midfield.

What to expect from Senegal’s fans?

Prepare yourself for an explosion of colour and rhythm. Wherever the Lions of Teranga head, the “12th Gaïndé” (12th man) turns the stands into a carnival of percussion and singing. However, the excitement has been tempered by the increasing frustration at the extortionate costs of travelling to North America. Supporters’ associations have complained of the “scandalous” ticket prices and there are fears that the Senegalese contingent will not be as big as at previous World Cups. Despite the anticipation, this tournament is being called the “World Cup du racket.” Senegal supporters will no longer have to pay a $15,000 visa deposit in the United States provided they are travelling with valid match tickets.

This is a piece from Omar Kane for Taggat as part of the Guardian Sports Network

GFFN | Luke Entwistle