El Hadji Malick Diouf

Internationals | Diouf included in Senegal squad

El Hadji Malick Diouf has been included in Senegal’s squad for two important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be played in early September.

The West Ham United left wing-back will hope to add to his six senior caps after being called-up by manager Pape Thiaw, having impressed in the 3-1 friendly victory in England in June.

The Lions of Teranga are six games into their ten-match CAF Group B qualifying campaign and need to finish strongly to secure a place at next summer’s finals in North America.

Senegal head into the September international window second in Group B on 12 points, one behind leaders DR Congo on 13 and ahead of third-place Sudan on goal difference. Only the group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up competing in a second round to qualify for an inter-confederation play-off.

Togo, South Sudan and Mauritania make up the six-team group, but are realistically out of the running to qualify.

Senegal welcome Sudan to Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on Friday 5 September at 7pm GMT (8pm BST), before travelling to the the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa to face DR Congo on Tuesday 9 September at 5pm DST (5pm BST).

Victory in both ties would keep Senegal in strong contention to qualify automatically ahead of a trip to South Sudan and home tie with Mauritania to complete the Group B qualifying campaign in October.

 

Image
Home Kit 2025/26