Senegal will be among the dark horses at the Qatar World Cup 2022. They have a strong squad to call upon and are a well-drilled outfit under Aliou Cisse, who has been in charge of his country since 2015.After the reigning African champions booked their place at the tournament with a victory over Egypt in the qualification play-offs in March – the final Lions of Teranga World Cup 2022 squad is expected to be announced in October or November. Aliou Cisse was permitted 28 players for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (which took place in 2022), due to the potential of COVID-19 outbreaks during the tournament. It is expected that the squad number will be reduced back down to the usual 23 for the World Cup in Qatar – unless otherwise stated. But FIFA is said to be open to the idea of increasing the squad sizes to 26 players, however no final decision has yet been made.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Usually, the World Cup takes place a few weeks after the end of the European season (June and July), but due to the extreme heat in Qatar in the middle of the year – it is being staged in November and December.Senegal, and all other competing nations, must name their squads by October 20. That is exactly days before the opening game, which will feature Senegal and the Netherlands.As far as the list itself goes – their should be some names that have their plane tickets ‘already booked’ – of course, if not surprising injuries happen.Sadio Mane is Senegal’s talisman and he will be the first name down on Aliou Cisse’s squad list, Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy will also be present at the first Middle Eastern planetary football tournament.21.11. Mon 12:00: (5.10) Senegal (3.50) Netherlands (1.75)Experience will be provided by Cheikhou Kouyate, the Crystal Palace midfielder who has won 81 caps at senior level. Also, Idrissa Gueye – Senegal’s vice-captain – is an important player for his country and even though has not started for PSG as often as he would have liked this season, he will most likely be on that plane. The Watford forward Ismaila Sarr may well be keen on a transfer this summer if the Hornets are relegated from the Premier League but he is determined to play at the highest level possible.Senegal World Cup 2022 squadGoalkeepers: Bingourou Kamara (Charleroi), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Alioune Badara Faty (Casa Sports)Defenders: Saliou Ciss (Nancy), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Fode Ballo-Toure (Milan), Abdoulaye Seck (Antwerp), Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Abdou Diallo (PSG)Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (PSG), Papy Mendy (Leicester), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Pape Matar Sarr (Metz), Mamadou Loum (Alaves), Moustapha Name (Paris)Forwards: Keita Balde (Cagliari), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Boulaye Dia (Villarreal), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Mame Thiam (Kayserispor), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor)VIDEO: Senegal’s squad is full of natural and localized talent that will help them in the Qatar FIFA 2022 World Cup. – Zeno Othieno Owora#NBSTheScore #NBSUpdates pic.twitter.com/qq9UB6SqZF— NBS Television (@nbstv) April 5, 2022
