Last African survivor or future hero? On Wednesday 1 July 2026, Senegal face Belgium in the World Cup round of 32 in Seattle. It is the first-ever meeting between the two nations — and a golden chance for the Lions of Teranga to fly the flag for African football. Without Édouard Mendy, but with a red-hot Ismaïla Sarr.
Senegal have made a habit of unsettling the giants, and once again the Lions of Teranga arrive with nothing to fear. Third in a brutal Group I — two defeats to France (1-3) and Norway (2-3) before a five-star show against Iraq (5-0) — Pape Thiaw’s men squeezed through to the knockout stage. Standing in their way: Rudi Garcia’s Belgium, group winners but far from convincing, with two laboured draws against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0), rescued by a comfortable win over New Zealand (5-1). On paper, the Red Devils are favourites. But African football has proven time and again that no prediction is ever set in stone.
One blow for Senegal: first-choice goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is ruled out through injury, meaning Le Havre’s Mory Diaw will start between the posts in Seattle. Up front, though, hope has a name — Ismaïla Sarr, already on three goals in the tournament, backed by the experience of Sadio Mané. Belgium report no absentees, with Romelu Lukaku expected to begin on the bench, still short of full fitness, as Charles De Ketelaere leads the line. Sparks are set to fly at Lumen Field. For an African continent still represented at this stage, the stakes go beyond a place in the last 16 — this one is symbolic.
Probable line-ups Senegal (4-3-3): Diaw – Diatta, Seck, Niakhaté, Jakobs – Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye – Mbaye, Sarr, Mané. Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois – Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper – Tielemans, Vanaken – Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard – De Ketelaere.