Édouard Mendy might miss the Round of 16 match in the 2026 World Cup against Belgium, scheduled for this Wednesday, due to an injury sustained during the game against Norway. The starting goalkeeper for the Lions of Teranga left the pitch in the 63rd minute after feeling discomfort in his left knee, forcing the Senegalese staff to adjust their plans mid-match. He was replaced by Mory Diaw, who finished the game strong.
In the hours that followed, Senegal’s medical staff mentioned a “slight strain of the internal ligament,” according to comments attributed to Kalidou Koulibaly. This initial assessment led to Mendy being rested for the next match against Iraq, where he was not included in the squad. Senegal continued the competition without their number one goalkeeper, in a context where managing player fitness becomes crucial at this stage of the tournament.
After a convincing victory against Iraq (5-0), Mendy left the training camp in New Jersey to head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His club, Al-Ahli Saudi FC, organized further examinations to accurately assess the progress of his injury. These medical tests aimed to determine the actual severity of the ligament damage and estimate a potential recovery timeline before returning to international competition.
According to several reports from Alfoot, the results of these examinations are not entirely reassuring. This situation creates significant uncertainty regarding the goalkeeper’s availability for the clash against Belgium. The medical staff remains cautious, while internal discussions continue about the best option to take in case of prolonged unavailability.
In this context, Mory Diaw seems to be the most likely solution to step in. The goalkeeper from Havre AC, experienced in European competitions, already has high-level experience, which boosts the technical staff’s confidence. His background as a goalkeeper trained in various European leagues is seen as an asset in a high-intensity match.
🚨 Édouard Mendy made a 30-hour round trip to Jeddah for examinations on his injured knee! 🇸🇦
He will join the squad tomorrow ahead of the Round of 16 against Belgium. The Senegalese goalkeeper still hopes to play if Senegal qualifies. 🧤… pic.twitter.com/yOSWVUJrAK
— Joueurs SN 🇸🇳 (@JoueursSN) June 29, 2026
Coach Pape Thiaw may clarify the situation at his next press conference. According to some sources close to the team, the player is still expected to join the squad before the Round of 16, though there are no guarantees about his ability to start the match. The final decision will depend on how his physical condition evolves in the coming hours, as Senegal prepares for a decisive match against Belgium.
