World Cup: Bouna Sarr makes last appeal for Senegal selection

Veteran Senegalese flank player Bouna Sarr has publicly made himself available for selection ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After more than two years away from the pitch, Sarr returned to competitive action with French Ligue 1 outfit FC Metz. He appeared as a substitute in a 0-3 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain before starting eight of the club’s final nine matches. Notably, Metz have not won a match yet in 2026.

Bouna is back 🔙✊ pic.twitter.com/pDMFjGMaNL

— FC Metz ☨ (@FCMetz) February 23, 2026

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champion reflected on this long and difficult period in an interview with newspaper L’Observateur.

The 34-year-old former Bayern Munich and Olympique Marseille defender says he feels “very good” physically and mentally since arriving in Metz, despite the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.

“Returning to a certain level of athleticism, technique, and tactics, was my first personal objective achieved.

“It wasn’t easy. Everyone knows I was without a club for a long time. Being able to play these matches in quick succession was by no means a given. It was a long and arduous battle,” he said.

Having been absent from the national team since the Africa Cup of Nations victory in Cameroon in 2021, Bouna Sarr says he understands the choices made by the national staff in recent years. But he believes he can still contribute to the Lions at the top level.

“After missing an AFCON and a World Cup, I feel like my time with the national team is a bit incomplete. Today, I feel eligible for selection and ready to be of service.”

Bouna Sarr also reveals that he has remained close to several key players on the national team, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mané, and Édouard Mendy, and sees a potential World Cup appearance as a reward after all the challenges he has faced:

“It would be the icing on the cake. A reward for all the hard work and resilience I’ve shown.”

Sarr managed to play ten Ligue 1 matches for Metz who were relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of the season.

The 13-time capped Senegal defender won three Bundesliga titles, a German Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup title with Bayern Munich.