Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf has set an ambitious target for the Teranga Lions, insisting the team is aiming to go beyond Morocco’s historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run by winning the 2026 tournament.
Morocco made history in Qatar by reaching the semi-finals and finishing fourth — the best performance ever by an African and Arab nation at the global showpiece. Their achievement surpassed previous records held by Senegal and Ghana, who both reached the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2010 respectively.
Speaking to French broadcaster Canal+ after Senegal’s triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Diouf stressed that merely matching Morocco’s feat would not be enough for the West African giants.
“If the goal is just to reach the semi-finals, then it’s better to stay at home,” the West Ham United defender said.
“We are Senegal, and we have the ability to win the World Cup; there is no room for discussion about that. As a great footballing nation, we will go for the title.
There are those who talk about the semi-finals, but for me, this is unacceptable. I apologise, we will only go to win.”
Senegal lifted the 2025 AFCON trophy in January after edging hosts Morocco in a dramatic final, further boosting confidence within the squad ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
The Teranga Lions have been drawn into Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Senegal are set to face France, Norway and a yet-to-be-decided play-off qualifier as they pursue what Diouf believes could be a historic title-winning campaign.
