World Cup: Senegal to face Saudi Arabia in friendly

African champions Senegal have confirmed a friendly against Saudi Arabia as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across Canada, Mexico, and the USA from June 11 to July 19.

Le Sénégal disputera un match amical international face à l’Arabie saoudite le 9 juin 2026 au Toyota Field à San Antonio, dans le cadre de sa préparation à la Coupe du Monde 2026, quelques jours avant le coup d’envoi de la compétition. #FriendlyGame

🎟️ Billetterie :… pic.twitter.com/X36tRpZrIK

— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) May 1, 2026

The tournament includes 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-place teams advancing to a new Round of 32. The final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Senegal to face Saudi Arabia May 1

Saudi Arabia will stand in Senegal’s way before their opening match at the 2026 World Cup against France on June 26 in New York, as part of the first group stage game.

Indeed, Pape Thiaw’s men will face Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up match, the federation confirmed this Friday, May 1.

The match will take place on June 9 at Toyota Field in San Antonio. This will not be the only preparation game for the Lions of Teranga, as they will also face the United States on May 31.

Drawn in Group I, Senegal will begin against France, the reigning world runners-up, before playing Norway (June 23) and then Iraq (June 26).

Senegal reached quarters in 2022

Senegal has a distinguished World Cup history highlighted by a memorable quarterfinal run in their 2002 debut.

They have qualified for four tournaments (2002, 2018, 2022, 2026), with notable performances including a shocking opening-match win over France in 2002 and reaching the round of 16 in 2022.

In their first-ever appearance, Senegal reached the quarterfinals, defeating holders France and holding Uruguay/Denmark in the group stage before beating Sweden in the round of 16. They fell to Turkey in the quarterfinals.