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Senegal national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Senegal women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Senegal
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Lions de la Téranga
(Lions of Teranga)
Association Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach Pape Thiaw
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly
Most caps Idrissa Gueye (129)
Top scorer Sadio Mané (53)
Home stadium Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
FIFA code SEN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 24 Decrease 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 17 (Feb–April 2024)
Lowest 99 (June 2013)
Elo ranking
Current 31 Decrease 4 (3 March 2019)
Highest 21 (June 2002)
Lowest 105 (October 1994)
First international
Pre-independence:
 British Gambia 1–2 French Senegal Flag of Senegal (1958–1959).svg
(The Gambia; 1959)
Post-independence:
 Dahomey 3–2 Senegal 
(31 December 1961)
Biggest win
 Senegal 10–1 Mauritania 
(Dakar, Senegal; 28 September 1972)
Biggest defeat
 Guinea 5–0 Senegal 
(Guinea; 6 March 1966)
 Guinea 5–0 Senegal 
(Conakry, Guinea; 23 August 2017)
World Cup
Appearances 3 (first in 2002)
Best result Quarter-finals (2002)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 18 (first in 1965)
Best result Champions (2021, 2025)
African Nations Championship
Appearances 4 (first in 2009)
Best result Champions (2022)
Amílcar Cabral Cup
Appearances 19 (first in 1979)
Best result Champions (1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 2001)
Medal record
Africa Cup of Nations
Gold 2025 Morocco Team
Gold 2021 Cameroon Team
Silver 2019 Egypt Team
Silver 2002 Mali Team
African Nations Championship
Gold 2022 Algeria Team
Bronze 2024 Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Team
Amílcar Cabral Cup
Gold 1979 Guinea-Bissau Team
Gold 1980 Gambia Team
Gold 1983 Mauritania Team
Gold 1984 Sierra Leone Team
Gold 1985 Gambia Team
Gold 1986 Senegal Team
Gold 1991 Senegal Team
Silver 1982 Cape Verde Team
Silver 1993 Sierra Leone Team
Silver 1997 Gambia Team
Silver 2000 Cape Verde Team
Bronze 1981 Mali Team
Bronze 1987 Guinea Team
Bronze 1988 Guinea-Bissau Team
WAFU Nations Cup
Gold 2019 Senegal Team
Silver 2010 Nigeria Team
Silver 2013 Ghana Team
COSAFA Cup
Silver 2021 South Africa Team
Bronze 2022 South Africa Team

The Senegal national football team, also known as Les Lions de la Teranga (which means The Lions of Teranga), represents the country of Senegal in international football matches. The Senegalese Football Federation manages the team.

Senegal is one of Africa's most well-known football teams. They made history by reaching the 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. This was only the second time an African team had gone so far in the World Cup! In that tournament, they surprised everyone by beating the defending champions, France. They then won against Sweden before losing to Turkey in a close quarter-final match.

The team has also achieved great success in the Africa Cup of Nations. They won the title twice, in 2021 and again in 2025. Their first time playing in this competition was in 1965. They also reached the finals in 2002 and 2019, finishing as runners-up.

Team History: Senegal's Football Journey

Starting Out: Early Days of Senegalese Football

Senegal became an independent country from France in 1960. That same year, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was created. The team played its very first match in 1961 against Dahomey (now Benin), losing 3–2. The FSF joined FIFA in 1962 and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1963.

Senegal first played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1965. They finished fourth in that tournament. After another early exit in 1968, they did not qualify for the tournament again until 1986.

Rising Stars: The 1990s and 2000s

In the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal once again reached fourth place. They hosted the tournament in 1992, making it to the quarter-finals.

A big moment came in 2002. Senegal reached the final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, but lost to Cameroon in a penalty shootout. Later that year, Senegal made its first-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup. They shocked the world by beating defending champions France in their first game! They continued to play well, reaching the quarter-finals. This was a huge achievement, making them only the second African team to get that far. They eventually lost to Turkey in extra time.

Senegal also played in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations but did not get past the group stage. They did not qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was the first World Cup held in Africa.

New Challenges: The 2010s and Beyond

The team faced a tough time in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, losing all their matches.

In 2013, the team's former coach, Bruno Metsu, passed away. He was remembered for leading Senegal to their amazing 2002 World Cup success.

Senegal almost made it to the 2014 FIFA World Cup but lost in the final qualification round. They played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2017, reaching the quarter-finals in 2017.

In 2017, Senegal qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, their first World Cup since 2002! They won against Poland and drew with Japan. However, a loss to Colombia meant they were eliminated from the group stage due to a fair play rule.

Aliou Cissé, who was a player in the 2002 team, became the coach. He led Senegal to the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost 1–0 to Algeria.

Champions of Africa: The 2020s

Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Senegal played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (held in 2022). They performed very well, winning their group and then beating Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea. In the semi-finals, they defeated Burkina Faso 3–1.

In the final, Senegal faced Egypt. The match went to a penalty shootout, and Sadio Mané scored the winning penalty! This brought Senegal their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, leading to huge celebrations in Dakar.

After this victory, Senegal played Egypt again to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They won on penalties, with Mané scoring the winning shot once more.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Senegal was in Group A. Even though their star player, Mané, was injured, they still made it out of the group stage. They lost to the Netherlands but beat Qatar and Ecuador. They reached the Round of 16, where they lost to England. This was the second time Senegal advanced past the group stage in the World Cup.

On June 10, 2025, Senegal made history by defeating England 3–1. This was the first time an African country beat England in a senior football match. Then, on January 18, 2026, Senegal won their second Africa Cup of Nations title! They beat host nation Morocco 1–0 in extra time in the final.

Team Uniforms: Kit History

Puma has been making Senegal's football kits since 2005, except for 2017 when Romai made them. The home kit is usually white, and the away kit is green.

La victoire sénégalaise
Supporters wearing the away kit
Kit providers Period
None 1960–1980
Germany Adidas 1980–2000
Italy Erreà 2000–2001
France Le Coq Sportif 2002–2004
Germany Puma 2005–2016
United Arab Emirates Romai 2017
Germany Puma 2018–present

Match Results and Upcoming Games

Main article: Senegal national football team results (2020–present)

Here are the results from the last year and any future matches that are planned.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2025

22 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Sudan  0–0  Senegal Benghazi, Libya
21:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Benina Martyrs Stadium
Referee: Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Senegal  2–0  Togo Dakar, Senegal
21:00 UTC±0
  • P. Sarr Goal 35'
  • Boma Goal 67' (o.g.)
 Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
6 June Friendly Republic of Ireland  1–1  Senegal Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC+1
  • McAteer Goal 21'
Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 32,478
Referee: Adam Ladebäck (Sweden)
10 June Friendly England  1–3  Senegal Nottingham, England
19:45 UTC+1
  • I. Sarr Goal 40'
  • Diarra Goal 62'
  • Sabaly Goal 90+3'
 Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 26,350
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)
5 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Senegal  2–0  Sudan Diamniadio, Senegal
19:00 UTC±0
  • Koulibaly Goal 14'
  • P. Sarr Goal 41'
 Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Referee: Ahmad Heeralall (Mauritius)
9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification DR Congo  2–3  Senegal Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1
  • Bakambu Goal 26'
  • Wissa Goal 33'
  • Gueye Goal 39'
  • Jackson Goal 53'
  • P. Sarr Goal 87'
 Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Omar Artan (Somalia)
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification South Sudan  0–5  Senegal Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Abdou Abdel Mefrie (Cameroon)
14 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Senegal  4–0  Mauritania Diamniadio, Senegal
19:00 UTC±0
  • Mané Goal 45+1', 48'
  • I. Ndiaye Goal 64'
  • Diallo Goal 85'
 Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)
15 November Friendly Brazil  2–0  Senegal London, England
16:00 UTC±0
  • Estêvão Goal 28'
  • Casemiro Goal 35'
 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,657
Referee: Jarred Gillett (England)
18 November Friendly Senegal  8–0  Kenya Antalya, Turkey
18:00 UTC+3
  • Jackson Goal 9', 15'
  • Diouf Goal 12'
  • Mané Goal 17', 31' (pen.), 35'
  • Mbaye Goal 48'
  • C. Ndiaye Goal 80' (pen.)
 Stadium: Antalya Stadium
Referee: Atilla Karaoglan (Turkey)
23 December 2025 AFCON GS Senegal  3–0  Botswana Tangier, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1
  • Jackson Goal 40', 58'
  • C. Ndiaye Goal 90'
 Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Attendance: 18,591
Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)
27 December 2025 AFCON GS Senegal  1–1  DR Congo Tangier, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1 Mané Goal 69' Bakambu Goal 61' Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Attendance: 41,672
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
30 December 2025 AFCON GS Benin  0–3  Senegal Tangier, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
  • Seck Goal 38'
  • H. Diallo Goal 62'
  • Koulibaly Red card 71'
  • C. Ndiaye Goal 90+7'
 Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Attendance: 26,707
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)

2026

3 January 2025 AFCON R16 Senegal  3–1  Sudan Tangier, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
  • P. Gueye Goal 29', 45+3'
  • Mbaye Goal 77'
 Aamir Abdallah Goal 6' Stadium: Tangier Grand Stadium
Attendance: 30,045
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
9 January 2025 AFCON QF Mali  0–1  Senegal Tangier, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Bissouma Yellow cardYellow cardRed card 23', 45+3' I. Ndiaye Goal 27' Stadium: Tangier Grand Stadium
Attendance: 32,385
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
14 January 2025 AFCON SF Senegal  1–0  Egypt Tangier, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Mané Goal 78' Stadium: Tangier Grand Stadium
Attendance: 52,079
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
18 January 2025 AFCON Final Senegal  1–0 (a.e.t.)  Morocco Rabat, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
31 May Friendly United States  v  Senegal Charlotte, United States
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
16 June 2026 World Cup Group I France  v  Senegal East Rutherford, United States
15:00 UTC−4 Stadium: MetLife Stadium
22 June 2026 World Cup Group I Norway  v  Senegal East Rutherford, United States
20:00 UTC−4 Stadium: MetLife Stadium
26 June 2026 World Cup Group I Senegal  v IC Path 2 Toronto, Canada
15:00 UTC−4 Stadium: BMO Field

Team Leaders: Coaching Staff

This table shows the people who help manage and train the Senegal national football team.

Position Name
Head Coach Senegal Pape Thiaw
Assistant Coach Senegal Pape Ibrahim Ndiaye
Assistant Coach II Senegal Alsény Thiam
Goalkeeping Coach Senegal Boubacarr Mbodj
Team Coordinator Senegal Mbaye Seck
Physical Trainer Senegal Ousmane Thioub
Media Officer Senegal Djibril Sarr
Technical Director Senegal Karim Ndour
Team Doctor Senegal Ismaïl Kébé

Coaching History: Past Managers

Here are some of the coaches who have led the Senegal national team over the years.

Aliou Cissé 2018
Aliou Cissé was the coach from 2015 to 2024. He led the team to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and to play in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He was also the captain of the team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Bruno Metsu 2012
Bruno Metsu coached the team from 2000 to 2002. He led them to the final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 2002, where they reached the quarter-finals.
Manager Period Honours
France Raoul Diagne 1960–1961
France Jules Vandooren 1961–1963
Senegal Habib Bâ
Senegal Lybasse Diop		 1963–1965 Symbol confirmed.svg 1965 Africa Cup of Nations – Fourth place
Senegal Lamine Diack 1965–1968 Symbol confirmed.svg 1968 Africa Cup of Nations – Group stage
West Germany Otto Pfister 1979–1982
Senegal Pape Alioune Diop 1982–1986 Symbol confirmed.svg 1986 Africa Cup of Nations – Group stage
Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1986 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
Senegal Mawade Wade 1986–1989 Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1988 Africa Cup of Nations – Failed to qualify
Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1990 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
France Claude Le Roy 1989–1992 Symbol confirmed.svg 1990 Africa Cup of Nations – Fourth place
Symbol confirmed.svg 1992 Africa Cup of Nations – Quarter-finals
Senegal Lamine Dieng 1992–1993
Senegal Boubacar Sarr 1993–1994 Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1994 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
Senegal Jules Bocandé
Senegal Boubacar Sarr		 1994–1995 Symbol confirmed.svg 1994 Africa Cup of Nations – Quarter-finals
Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1996 Africa Cup of Nations – Failed to qualify
Germany Peter Schnittger 1995–2000 Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1998 Africa Cup of Nations – Failed to qualify
Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 1998 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
Symbol confirmed.svg 2000 Africa Cup of Nations – Quarter-finals
France Bruno Metsu 2000–2002 Symbol confirmed.svg 2002 African Cup of Nations – Runners-up
Symbol confirmed.svg 2002 FIFA World Cup – Quarter-finals
France Guy Stéphan 2002–2005 Symbol confirmed.svg 2004 Africa Cup of Nations – Quarter-finals
Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 2006 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
Senegal Abdoulaye Sarr 2005–2006 Symbol confirmed.svg 2006 Africa Cup of Nations – Fourth place
Poland Henryk Kasperczak 2006–2008 Symbol confirmed.svg 2008 African Cup of Nations – Group stage
Senegal Lamine N'Diaye 2008
Senegal Amsatou Fall (caretaker) 2009 Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 2010 Africa Cup of Nations – Failed to qualify
Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 2010 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
Senegal Amara Traoré 2009–2012 Symbol confirmed.svg 2012 Africa Cup of Nations – Group stage
Senegal Karim Séga Diouf
Senegal Aliou Cissé (caretaker)		 2012
Senegal Joseph Koto (caretaker) 2012 Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 2013 Africa Cup of Nations – Failed to qualify
Senegal Mayacine Mar (caretaker) 2012–2013 Symbol delete vote darkened.svg 2014 FIFA World Cup – Failed to qualify
France Alain Giresse 2013–2015 Symbol confirmed.svg 2015 Africa Cup of Nations – Group stage
Senegal Aliou Cissé 2015–2024 Symbol confirmed.svg 2017 Africa Cup of Nations – Quarter-finals
Symbol confirmed.svg 2018 FIFA World Cup – Group stage
Symbol confirmed.svg 2019 Africa Cup of Nations – Runners-up
Symbol confirmed.svg 2021 Africa Cup of Nations – Champions
Symbol confirmed.svg 2022 FIFA World Cup – Round of 16
Symbol confirmed.svg 2023 Africa Cup of Nations – Round of 16
Senegal Pape Thiaw 2024– Symbol confirmed.svg 2025 Africa Cup of Nations - Champions

Team Players: Current Squad

These are the players who were chosen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Caps and goals updated as of 18 January 2026, after the match against Egypt.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Yehvann Diouf (1999-11-16) 16 November 1999 (age 26) 1 0 France Nice
16 1GK Édouard Mendy (1992-03-01) 1 March 1992 (age 33) 57 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli
23 1GK Mory Diaw (1993-06-22) 22 June 1993 (age 32) 3 0 France Le Havre
2 2DF Mamadou Sarr (2005-08-29) 29 August 2005 (age 20) 4 0 France Strasbourg
3 2DF Kalidou Koulibaly (captain) (1991-06-20) 20 June 1991 (age 34) 103 2 Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
4 2DF Abdoulaye Seck (1992-06-04) 4 June 1992 (age 33) 20 3 Israel Maccabi Haifa
14 2DF Ismail Jakobs (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 26) 27 0 Turkey Galatasaray
15 2DF Krépin Diatta (1999-02-25) 25 February 1999 (age 26) 55 2 France Monaco
19 2DF Moussa Niakhaté (1996-03-08) 8 March 1996 (age 29) 28 0 France Lyon
24 2DF Antoine Mendy (2004-05-27) 27 May 2004 (age 21) 5 0 France Nice
25 2DF El Hadji Malick Diouf (2004-12-28) 28 December 2004 (age 21) 17 1 England West Ham United
5 3MF Idrissa Gueye (third captain) (1989-09-26) 26 September 1989 (age 36) 129 7 England Everton
6 3MF Pathé Ciss (1994-03-16) 16 March 1994 (age 31) 28 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano
7 3MF Habib Diarra (2004-01-03) 3 January 2004 (age 22) 17 4 England Sunderland
8 3MF Lamine Camara (2004-01-05) 5 January 2004 (age 22) 41 6 France Monaco
17 3MF Pape Matar Sarr (2002-09-14) 14 September 2002 (age 23) 37 4 England Tottenham Hotspur
22 3MF Ousseynou Niang (2001-10-12) 12 October 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Belgium Union Saint-Gilloise
26 3MF Pape Gueye (1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 (age 27) 40 6 Spain Villarreal
28 3MF Mamadou Camara (2003-01-05) 5 January 2003 (age 23) 5 1 Morocco Nahdat Berkane
9 4FW Boulaye Dia (1996-11-16) 16 November 1996 (age 29) 37 6 Italy Lazio
10 4FW Sadio Mané (vice-captain) (1992-04-10) 10 April 1992 (age 33) 126 53 Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr
11 4FW Nicolas Jackson (2001-06-20) 20 June 2001 (age 24) 31 7 Germany Bayern Munich
12 4FW Cherif Ndiaye (1996-01-23) 23 January 1996 (age 30) 15 4 Turkey Samsunspor
13 4FW Iliman Ndiaye (2000-03-06) 6 March 2000 (age 25) 38 4 England Everton
18 4FW Ismaïla Sarr (1998-02-25) 25 February 1998 (age 27) 81 18 England Crystal Palace
20 4FW Habib Diallo (1995-06-18) 18 June 1995 (age 30) 39 9 France Metz
21 4FW Cheikh Sabaly (1999-03-04) 4 March 1999 (age 26) 12 1 France Metz
27 4FW Ibrahim Mbaye (2008-01-24) 24 January 2008 (age 18) 8 2 France Paris Saint-Germain

Players Recently Called Up

These players have also been called to play for Senegal in the last year.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Ilay Camara (2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 (age 23) 3 0 Belgium Anderlecht 2025 Africa Cup of Nations INJ
DF Moustapha Mbow (2000-03-08) 8 March 2000 (age 25) 0 0 France Paris v.  Mauritania, 14 October 2025
DF Abdou Diallo (1996-05-04) 4 May 1996 (age 29) 33 2 Qatar Umm-Salal v.  Sudan, 5 September 2025 INJ
DF Moussa N'Diaye (2002-06-18) 18 June 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Belgium Anderlecht v.  Togo, 25 March 2025
MF Rassoul Ndiaye (2001-12-11) 11 December 2001 (age 24) 2 0 France Le Havre v.  Kenya, 18 November 2025
MF Nampalys Mendy (1992-06-23) 23 June 1992 (age 33) 34 0 England Watford v.  Mauritania, 14 October 2025
MF Cheikh Niasse (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000 (age 26) 0 0 Italy Hellas Verona v.  Mauritania, 14 October 2025
MF Dion Lopy (2002-02-02) 2 February 2002 (age 23) 5 0 Spain Almería v.  Togo, 25 March 2025
FW Assane Diao (2005-12-07) 7 December 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Italy Como 2025 Africa Cup of Nations INJ
FW Ousmane Sow (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 25) 0 0 Denmark Brøndby 2025 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Abdallah Sima (2001-06-17) 17 June 2001 (age 24) 9 0 France Lens v.  England, 10 June 2025
FW Idrissa Gueye (2006-09-16) 16 September 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Italy Udinese v.  England, 10 June 2025
FW Richard Sagna (1997-09-04) 4 September 1997 (age 28) 0 0 Unattached v.  Togo, 25 March 2025

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Player Records: Top Performers

These are the players who have played the most games or scored the most goals for Senegal.

Players in bold are still active with Senegal.

Most Appearances for Senegal

Finales CAN 2021 (9)
Idrissa Gueye is Senegal's most capped player with 129 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Idrissa Gueye 129 7 2011–present
2 Sadio Mané 126 53 2012–present
3 Kalidou Koulibaly 103 2 2015–present
4 Henri Camara 99 29 1999–2008
5 Cheikhou Kouyaté 92 4 2012–2024
6 Roger Mendy 87 3 1979–1995
7 Tony Sylva 83 0 1999–2008
8 Ismaïla Sarr 81 18 2016–present
9 Jules Bocandé 72 20 1979–1993
10 Lamine Diatta 71 4 2000–2008

Top Goalscorers for Senegal

Finales CAN 2021 (13)
Sadio Mané is Senegal's all-time top scorer with 53 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Sadio Mané (list) 53 126 0.42 2012–present
2 Henri Camara 29 99 0.29 1999–2008
3 El Hadji Diouf 24 70 0.34 2000–2008
4 Mamadou Niang 20 54 0.37 2002–2012
Jules Bocandé 20 73 0.27 1979–1993
6 Moussa Sow 18 50 0.36 2009–2018
Ismaïla Sarr 18 81 0.22 2016–present
8 Papiss Cissé 17 36 0.47 2009–2015
9 Mamadou Diallo 15 35 0.43 1989–1999
10 Moussa Konaté 12 34 0.35 2012–2019

Tournament Records: Senegal's Performance

FIFA World Cup History

Main article: Senegal at the FIFA World Cup

Senegal has played in the FIFA World Cup finals three times. They reached the quarter-finals in 2002, and also participated in 2018 and 2022.

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  France Part of  France
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Chile 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
England 1966 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 3 1 0 2 2 4
West Germany 1974 2 0 1 1 1 2
Argentina 1978 2 0 1 1 1 2
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 0 1
Mexico 1986 2 1 0 1 1 1
Italy 1990 Did not enter Declined participation
United States 1994 Did not qualify 8 3 1 4 11 12
France 1998 2 0 1 1 2 3
South Korea Japan 2002 Quarter-finals 7th 5 2 2 1 7 6 Squad 10 5 4 1 16 3
Germany 2006 Did not qualify 10 6 3 1 21 8
South Africa 2010 6 2 3 1 9 7
Brazil 2014 8 3 4 1 11 8
Russia 2018 Group stage 17th 3 1 1 1 4 4 Squad 8 5 3 0 15 5
Qatar 2022 Round of 16 10th 4 2 0 2 5 7 Squad 8 6 1 1 16 5
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualified 10 7 3 0 22 3
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total Quarter-finals 4/15 12 5 3 4 16 17 — 81 39 26 16 128 64

Africa Cup of Nations History

Main article: Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations

For a long time, Senegal was not considered one of the strongest teams in West Africa. Even though they finished fourth in the Africa Cup of Nations twice, their overall performance was not always the best. They were often overshadowed by teams like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.

In the 2000s, Senegal started to become a much stronger team in the Africa Cup of Nations. After their amazing performance in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Senegal became a new football powerhouse in Africa. In the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, they reached the final but lost to Cameroon in a penalty shootout. They were also runners-up in 2019, losing to Algeria. Finally, they won their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021 and their second in 2025.

Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Part of  France Part of  France
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965 Fourth place 4th 3 1 1 1 5 2 Squad 4 3 0 1 8 4
Ethiopia 1968 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 5 5 Squad 4 2 1 1 9 4
Sudan 1970 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 5 4
Cameroon 1972 2 0 1 1 1 0
Egypt 1974 2 0 1 1 3 3
Ethiopia 1976 2 0 1 1 5 2
Ghana 1978 4 2 0 2 6 4
Nigeria 1980 Did not enter Did not enter
Libya 1982 Did not qualify 4 1 0 2 4 2
Ivory Coast 1984 4 2 1 0 3 2
Egypt 1986 Group stage 5th 3 2 0 1 3 1 Squad 4 4 0 0 5 2
Morocco 1988 Did not qualify 4 1 3 0 4 0
Algeria 1990 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 3 3 Squad 2 1 1 0 4 1
Senegal 1992 Quarter-finals 5th 3 1 0 2 4 3 Squad Qualified as hosts
Tunisia 1994 8th 3 1 0 2 2 3 Squad 6 2 1 3 8 9
South Africa 1996 Did not qualify 8 3 3 2 10 8
Burkina Faso 1998 6 2 2 2 5 6
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 6 6 Squad 4 1 2 1 4 4
Mali 2002 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 2 0 6 1 Squad 4 1 2 1 4 2
Tunisia 2004 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 2 1 4 2 Squad 6 3 0 1 7 1
Egypt 2006 Fourth place 4th 6 2 0 4 7 8 Squad 10 6 3 1 21 8
Ghana 2008 Group stage 12th 3 0 2 1 4 6 Squad 6 3 2 1 12 3
Angola 2010 Did not qualify 6 2 3 1 9 7
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Group stage 13th 3 0 0 3 3 6 Squad 6 5 1 0 16 2
South Africa 2013 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 6
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Group stage 9th 3 1 1 1 3 4 Squad 6 4 1 1 8 1
Gabon 2017 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 2 0 6 2 Squad 6 6 0 0 13 2
Egypt 2019 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 0 2 8 2 Squad 6 5 1 0 12 2
Cameroon 2021 Champions 1st 7 4 3 0 9 2 Squad 6 4 2 0 10 2
Ivory Coast 2023 Round of 16 9th 4 3 1 0 9 2 Squad 6 4 2 0 12 4
Morocco 2025 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 13 2 Squad 6 5 1 0 10 1
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined To be determined
2029
Total 2 Titles 18/35 78 36 19 23 100 60 — 150 72 32 26 220 97

African Nations Championship History

African Nations Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Ivory Coast 2009 Fourth place 4th 5 1 3 1 3 3 Squad
Sudan 2011 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad
South Africa 2014 Did not qualify
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018
Cameroon 2020
Algeria 2022 Champions 1st 6 4 1 1 6 1 Squad
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2024 Third place 3rd 6 2 4 0 5 3
Total Champions 3/7 14 6 5 3 11 6 —

Amílcar Cabral Cup History

Amílcar Cabral Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Guinea-Bissau 1979 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 7 1
The Gambia 1980 Champions 1st 4 3 0 1 5 3
Mali 1981 Third place 3rd 4 3 0 1 7 2
Cape Verde 1982 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 5 1
Mauritania 1983 Champions 1st 5 3 2 0 9 4
Sierra Leone 1984 Champions 1st 5 3 1 1 10 3
The Gambia 1985 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 8 2
Senegal 1986 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 7 2
Guinea 1987 Third place 3rd 4 1 1 2 2 2
Guinea-Bissau 1988 Third place 3rd 5 2 3 0 10 5
Mali 1989 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 3 4
Senegal 1991 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 7 0
Sierra Leone 1993 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 1 2 6 3
Mauritania 1995 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 5 3
The Gambia 1997 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 2 1 5 3
Cape Verde 2000 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 8 6
Mali 2001 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 11 3
Guinea 2005 Runners-up 2nd 4 1 2 1 3 3
Guinea-Bissau 2007 Third place 3rd 4 2 1 1 5 4
Total 8 Titles 19/19 82 45 25 14 123 54

WAFU Nations Cup History

WAFU Nations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Nigeria 2010 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 1 2 4 4
Nigeria 2011 Withdrew
Ghana 2013 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 8 4
Ghana 2017 Group stage 5th 4 1 2 1 5 2
Senegal 2019 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 7 2
Nigeria 2021 To be determined
Total 1 Title 4/5 17 9 4 4 24 12

Other Tournament Records

Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Senegal 1963 Friendship Games Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 12 3
Niger Jeux de la Francophonie 2005 Runners-up 2nd 6 5 0 1 11 3
Republic of the Congo 2015 African Games Champions 1st 4 2 2 0 5 2
South Africa 2021 COSAFA Cup Runners-up 2nd 6 3 2 1 8 6
South Africa 2022 COSAFA Cup Third place 3rd 3 1 2 0 6 5
Total 2 Titles 1st 23 14 7 2 42 19

Head-to-Head Record: Against Other Nations

This list shows Senegal's all-time international football record against other countries.

As of 18 January 2026 after match against Morocco.

Key

     Positive balance (more wins than losses)      Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)      Negative balance (more losses than wins)

Team Achievements: Honours

Continental Titles

  • Africa Cup of Nations
    • Gold medal africa.svg Champions (2): 2021, 2025
    • Silver medal africa.svg Runners-up (2): 2002, 2019
  • African Nations Championship
    • Gold medal africa.svg Champions (1): 2022
    • Bronze medal africa.svg Third place (1): 2024

Regional Titles

  • Amílcar Cabral Cup
    • 1 Champions (7): 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991
    • 2 Runners-up (4): 1982, 1993, 1997, 2000
    • 3 Third place (3): 1981, 1987, 1988
  • WAFU Nations Cup
    • 1 Champions (1): 2019
    • 2 Runners-up (2): 2010, 2013
  • CEDEAO Cup
    • 1 Champions (1): 1985
    • 2 Runners-up (2): 1990, 1991
    • 3 Third place (1): 1987
  • UEMOA Tournament
    • 1 Champions (3): 2009, 2011, 2016
  • COSAFA Cup
    • 2 Runners-up (1): 2021
    • 3 Third place (1): 2022

Awards

  • FIFA Best Mover of the Year (1): 2002
  • African National Team of the Year (4): 2001, 2002, 2007, 2022
  • Africa Cup of Nations Fair Play Award (2): 2019, 2021

Summary of Major Titles

Competition 1 2 3 Total
Africa Cup of Nations 2 2 0 4
African Nations Championship 1 0 1 2
Total 3 2 1 6

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Senegal para niños

  • Senegal national under-20 football team
  • Senegal national under-17 football team
  • Football in Senegal
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