“I feel very good.” Kalidou Koulibaly wanted to reassure Senegalese fans about his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The central defender for Al Hilal discussed his physical condition in an interview with RMC, following a thigh muscle injury he suffered on April 8 during a training session with his Saudi club.
The captain of the Lions explained that the management of this injury has been handled with caution to avoid any setbacks. “We did things smartly. We didn’t want to rush,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a full recovery rather than a premature return to the pitch. Since that incident, he hasn’t played any official matches, which notably kept him out of the friendly lost by Senegal against the United States, ending 3-2.
However, his situation is improving. The player has resumed group training with the rest of the squad for a few days now, an important step in his return to competition. This gradual return raises hopes for his possible participation in the Lions’ final warm-up match against Saudi Arabia. “We’ll see if I play against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the friendly. It’s up to the coach to decide,” he clarified, leaving some uncertainty about his playing time in this last rehearsal before the tournament kicks off.
This uncertainty around the Senegalese captain’s fitness naturally reignites discussions about the depth of the Teranga Lions’ squad. The prolonged absence of such an experienced player as Koulibaly raises questions about the team’s ability to maintain its defensive balance without its usual leader. Nevertheless, several voices within Senegalese football believe solutions exist within the group.
Former international Lamine Sané highlighted that the selection has profiles capable of stepping up in the absence of the central defender. This analysis shines a light on the progress Senegal has made in terms of squad depth, even if Koulibaly’s experience and leadership are hard to replace in major international competitions.
Beyond his physical condition, Koulibaly also has clear ambitions for the 2026 World Cup. Senegal will compete in a particularly tough group alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, a high-level challenge for the Lions. “We know we are capable of great things, but we have to stay humble and disciplined,” he stated, calling for rigor and focus from the very first matches.
The group’s objectives remain ambitious, with a clear desire to go as far as possible in the competition. “We have the talent, quality, and professionalism to go far,” the Senegalese defender insisted, reaffirming the collective confidence that drives the national team as the global showdown approaches.
