Como forward Assane Diao has decided to represent Senegal instead of Spain and has been named in the 26-man squad released by head coach Pape Thiaw for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Afrosport reports.
Diao, who has represented Spain’s youth teams, has scored five goals in 10 Serie A matches for Como this season and has been in the middle of an international tussle between Senegal and the European nation.
The 19-year-old has, however, chosen to play for the Teranga Lions and will be looking to make his senior international debut when Senegal plays Sudan and Togo.
Diao is one of six new players handed first-time call-ups by Thiaw, including Antoine Mendy (Nice), Ilay Camara (Standard Liège), Cheikh Niasse (Hellas Verona), impressive Reims goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf, and Richard Sagna (AS Douanes), the only home-based player in the squad.
The Senegal boss also invited regulars like the Saudi-based trio of Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly, as well as Idrissa Gueye, Krepin Diatta, and Ismaila Sarr.
🚨 OFFICIEL : La liste du Sénégal pour les QCDM 2026 de ce mois-ci ! 🇸🇳🎟️
Avec 6 nouveaux, quelle liste. 🙌🏿 pic.twitter.com/IT1g6rOjE7
— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) March 13, 2025
The Teranga Lions are currently second in Group B with eight points from their opening four games, two points behind leaders Sudan.
They will face Sudan’s Bright Stars at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium on Saturday, 22 March, before hosting the Sparrowhawks of Togo at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on 25 March.
Full Senegal 26-man squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Mory Diaw (Rodez), and Yehvann Diouf (Stade de Reims).
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdou Diallo (Al-Arabi), Moussa Niakhate (Olympique Lyonnais), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Moussa Ndiaye (Anderlecht), and Ilay Camara (Standard de Liège).
Midfielders: Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Krépin Diatta (AS Monaco), Cheikh Niasse (Hellas Verona), and Dion Lopy (Almería).
Strikers: Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Habib Diallo (Damac FC), Cherif Ndiaye (Red Star Belgrade), Richard Sagna (AS Douanes), Boulaye Dia (Lazio), Assane Diao (Como), and Abdallah Sima (Stade Brestois).
