“In my three decades in football, I have never witnessed an injury quite like the one sustained by Kalidou Koulibaly.” These words from Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi sent shockwaves through Sénégal in early April. The veteran defender, who was already forced to sit out the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on January 18, now faces a race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup.
This news comes as a massive blow to Pape Thiaw’s squad. The team recently saw their African championship title stripped away following a CAF appeals jury decision that awarded Maroc a victory by forfeit. Now, Sénégal must navigate one of the most challenging groups in the upcoming tournament. Their campaign kicks off on June 16 at the MetLife Stadium near New York against France, followed by matches against Erling Haaland’s Norvège and then Irak.
Will the Sénégal captain make the 26-man roster?
Medical staff at Al-Hilal were stunned to find a subcutaneous hematoma in Koulibaly’s thigh. Subsequent tests conducted in Spain have confirmed the worst: a grade 2 muscle tear. The 34-year-old requires a recovery period of four to eight weeks. Consequently, the former Napoli star will miss the remainder of the season with his Saudi Arabian club, which still has four fixtures left.
The decision now rests with Pape Thiaw regarding whether to name his defensive leader in the final 26-man selection. Koulibaly’s vast experience remains a vital asset for the national team. Sénégal is set to gather in two weeks for friendly matches against the United States and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for May 31 and June 9 in Charlotte and San Antonio, respectively. While Moussa Niakhaté and Mamadou Sarr formed the central defense during the final against Maroc, the latter has struggled for playing time at Chelsea since the winter break.
