Senegal’s national football team, the Lions of Teranga, is preparing for high-profile matches aimed at testing its strength ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has confirmed that a friendly against Brazil is being finalised for November, while a match against the United States is also under consideration for 2026, contingent on World Cup qualification.
Abdoulaye Fall, president of the FSF, told Le Soleil that discussions with Brazil, five-time world champions, are progressing.
“This match promises to offer Senegalese fans a high-level confrontation,” he said. Facing a team regularly cited among the world’s best provides a rare opportunity for the Lions to gauge their level in a friendly yet strategically important setting.
Looking further ahead, Senegal could face the United States in May 2026, ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by the North American nation.
The match would give coach Pape Thiaw’s players a chance to experience the tournament environment, playing against a strong side in front of its home crowd. Such exposure is expected to bolster both psychological resilience and tactical readiness as Senegal prepares for the global stage.
Before these high-profile fixtures can take place, Senegal must secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The FSF confirmed that the final two group-stage matches are scheduled for October 2025: on October 10 in Juba against South Sudan, followed by a clash with Mauritania in Dakar on October 14. Both matches are crucial to consolidating first place in the group and ensuring direct qualification.
These planned friendlies form part of a broader strategy to challenge the Lions with diverse and formidable opponents. Senegal’s approach reflects a deliberate effort to raise performance standards and prepare players for major international competitions.
As the team balances the pursuit of World Cup qualification with high-level preparation, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Senegal measures up against some of football’s elite teams.
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