National football team: Malang Sarr, Sanganté, Sané… Patrick Vieira redistributes the cards September 18, 2026
For his first list at the head of the Lions, Patrick Vieira has selected 29 players for Senegal’s next three matches, against Mozambique and Ethiopia in CAN 2027 qualifying, then against the Comoros in a friendly.
A selection marked by several changes, notably in defense and in goals, with the first call-ups of Malang Sarr, Arouna Sanganté, Sadibou Sané and Ngagne Demba Thiam.
Patrick Vieira unveiled, Friday September 18, his first list since his appointment as Lions coach. The French technician has chosen to rely largely on the backbone of the team that played in the last World Cup, while opening the door to several new profiles.
A total of 29 players are in the group called up for trips to Mozambique and Ethiopia on September 25 and 29, before the friendly against the Comoros on October 4.
A profoundly renewed defense
It is undoubtedly in the defensive sector that Vieira’s choices attract the most attention. Around Kalidou Koulibaly, still present and now an Al-Hilal player, the coach selected several profiles with different trajectories.
The main novelty is Malang Sarr. The 27-year-old defender, who left RC Lens this summer, signed with Neom SC in the Saudi Pro League. His arrival in the Lair is a novelty since he had not been selected by Pape Thiaw for the World Cup. International French hopefuls in the past, Sarr can play in the center as well as on the left side and therefore offers an additional solution to Vieira.
Another novelty, Arouna Sanganté. The former Le Havre captain joined Sevilla FC this summer. A 24-year-old central defender, also capable of playing on the right, he has never been selected for the Lions despite previous call-ups. His athletic profile and his knowledge of Ligue 1 clearly caught the attention of the new coach.
Sadibou Sané represents one of the forward-looking selections. The 22-year-old defender left FC Metz for AS Monaco, where he is committed until 2031. After 71 matches played with Metz, he now continues his progress on the Rock and joins the A group for the first time.
Lamine Sy also makes his return. The right back of AJ Auxerre, who extended his contract until 2030, has quickly established himself in the Burgundian club since his arrival. His return constitutes a new option on the sides of the defense.
The list also includes Nobel Mendy, now at Hull City, Moussa Niakhaté from Olympique Lyonnais, Mamadou Sarr from Chelsea and El Hadji Malick Diouf, transferred this summer to Brentford.
One absence, however, attracts attention: that of Ismail Jakobs. The left side, regularly used with the Lions in recent years, does not appear in this first selection of Vieira. With El Hadji Malick Diouf and the other solutions available, the new coach seems to want to redistribute the cards on the left side.
In the goals, a new hierarchy to build
The international retirement of Édouard Mendy naturally opens a new period in goals. Vieira kept Mory Diaw, now at Al-Shabab, and Yéhvann Diouf, who plays at OGC Nice.
Two new faces complete the sector: Ngagne Demba Thiam, Monza goalkeeper, and Mamour Ndiaye, who arrived this summer at AS Saint-Étienne.
This configuration could therefore open up new competition for the number one position. With the disappearance of Édouard Mendy from the international landscape, Vieira now has several profiles that he will be able to evaluate during this first sequence.
Gana Gueye still there, Pape Matar Sarr called
In the middle, Patrick Vieira did not upset the balance. Idrissa Gana Gueye, 36, remains in the group. The African champion left Everton this summer to join Al-Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.
Pape Alassane Gueye, from Villarreal, also retains his place. He will be accompanied by Rassoul Ndiaye, who returns to the selection after a period of absence and continues his adventure at Le Havre AC.
Lamine Camara, still at AS Monaco, logically appears in the group. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye is also present. The young 18-year-old midfielder permanently joined Bayern Munich this summer after his loan and signed until 2031. He had already discovered the selection and participated in the World Cup.
The little surprise of the sector could be Pape Matar Sarr. The Senegalese midfielder, long associated with Tottenham, now plays for Juventus, which he joined on loan for the 2026-2027 season. His presence confirms that Vieira still counts on his experience and his volume of play in the midfield.
A largely preserved attack
Ultimately, it is the offensive sector which appears the most stable. Vieira renewed several major elements of the Lair.
Iliman Ndiaye, now at Manchester City, Ismaïla Sarr, still at Crystal Palace, and Nicolas Jackson, who plays at Bayern Munich, are present.
Assane Diao, who plays in Como, also retains the confidence of the coach. The young striker is having an interesting start to the season in Italy and has already found the net on several occasions.
Abdallah Sima, now at Lens, is part of the group, as is Boulaye Dia, loaned by Lazio to Rennes this summer. Rennais Issa Soumaré is also on the list.
The offensive sector also welcomes Pape Moussa Fall, who plays with FC Metz and has had a particularly prolific start to the season in Ligue 2. Mamadou Diakhon, from Club Bruges, completes the offensive group.
Finally, Ibrahim Mbaye, one of the young talents of the selection, continues his rise. The 18-year-old striker left Paris Saint-Germain for Aston Villa at the start of September. His retention in the group confirms Vieira’s desire to maintain a place for the young elements already integrated into the Lair.
Sadio Mané, the only major absentee among the executives
Apart from the international retirement of Édouard Mendy, the main absence from this first list remains that of Sadio Mané.
The historic captain of the Lions therefore does not appear in the first group formed by Patrick Vieira. The new coach explains that Sadio Mané has a physical problem, which is why he is not on the list.
For the rest, the boss of the Lions has generally retained the main executives of the selection, while introducing several new profiles and relaunching certain players.
This first list thus gives some indications on Vieira’s first directions: maintaining an experienced backbone, strengthening competition in certain positions and giving a chance to players whose club trajectories can offer new solutions.
The next three matches will now allow us to measure the first effects of this redistribution of cards, particularly in the goals, in defense and on the sides.
By Cheikh Gora DIOP
