Senegal 26 World Cup Preview

African dynasty. That's what these guys are. If AFCON's accumulation suspensions didn't apply to finals, they probably have 3 from 2019-2026. They should already be viewed as one of the best men's teams in African history. But they don't have a knockout World Cup win on that resume just yet.

There's also what's clearly become a rivalry with Morocco & the effort to steal their trophy. Winning in January was great to get over them, of course, but the 2022 World Cup semifinalists still have that campaign to hold over the Senegalese heads.

This group is ambitious to make a world statement.

Senegal are one of the OGs of pressing in modern international soccer; they've been doing it for almost a decade now. In 2022 they were arguably the pressing leaders & although they've been bypassed, they still have it as their undeniable game model that has worked for this generation. Their pressing isn't as extreme as Bielsa or Rangnick, thus it's more calculated & selective, & the results are hard to argue with. All 11 players defend with full effort, led by captain Sadio Mane constantly setting this tone. Not one on the field is sulking around waiting for the ball.

Mane's commitment to the system as a left winger rather than an attempt to force himself to be The Guy not only benefits the entire team, but usually results in him being The Guy anyways if there is one. The team has constantly improved the longer he's been around, he's been so excellent forever. The winning AFCON goal? Started by Mane pouncing on a press trigger:

Gana is maybe their next most important player, the wisest presence in the midfield keeping optimal positioning at all times - he's good on the ball too. Koulibaly, of course, deserves his shout leading that back line but the depth has proven itself behind him many a time too. In goal, Mendy is as strong as ever & the result is one of the best defenses in the entire world, one that feels like you can never expect a goal against. That's always the foundation of a successful national team. They are well, well equipped for a big tournament.

They need options in possession, of course, which is where Ndiaye has become a key outlet. He serves as a point of attack when they have to run the game with the ball & they have not had a player of that on ball quality yet in this generation. Up front, I think Nicolas Jackson offers more in goalscoring than any other attacker but the manager seems 50/50 on starting him, opting for other guys who admittedly are better as pressing forwards.

That system-before-individuals idea is proven to work for them, however.

I still might lean towards Jackson starts because sometimes they need that goalscoring. They're AFCON champions, yes, but with some vital bombs from Pape Gueye that they need to know are not reliable to repeat. Great if they do, but that man was on a heater that I would not count on again. They are susceptible to struggle putting the ball in the net if they aren’t given chances to create turnovers.

Senegal feel at the PEAK of their generation right now, even quite late on in the Mane era at least, & despite winning their continent a few months ago still have so much to reach for - their desire to win is not dampened at all by it. The Morocco situation has only added fuel to this side; that should frighten every other opponent.

REALLY like this team, even in the tournament's group of death. Hell, there's a possibility they top it.

The timing just feels perfect. New guys on the scene that weren't in 2022 in Jackson & Ndiaye, adding to their weakest elements. This is the best ever version of them, I think.

I am the number one endorser of psychology, betting against recent champions to have a hangover. But their circumstances, all surrounding Morocco & their lack of a knockout win here, overcome it for me.

They're Top 10 in the world, mostly on system. I love them to prove it this summer.