CONTENDERS OR CHAMPIONS: SENEGAL AIMS FOR SECOND AFCON TITLE IN MOROCCO
Undefeated in qualification, Senegal heads to AFCON 2025 as a strong contender. Coach Pape Thiaw balances veteran leadership with exciting young talent for a second title.
Senegal heads to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They have high expectations but also confidence from playing well on the continent's biggest stage.
This is their 18th time at the tournament. After winning in 2021, they have a chance to win a second title in just three tries. That win changed how the nation views its soccer team. Now, the Teranga Lions see AFCON as a place where they are contenders and champions who want to stay on top.
To get to Morocco, they showed they can be in charge and consistent. Senegal went undefeated in a group with Burkina Faso, Burundi, and Malawi. These teams can cause trouble, but they couldn't stop the Lions from controlling things or staying strong.
They also went undefeated in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers, finishing ahead of a strong DR Congo team. This shows that Senegal doesn't just win; they control the game with structure, skill, and flashes of individual talent.
Head coach Pape Thiaw took over after Aliou Cissé, a national icon, had a long run. Thiaw keeps Senegal’s soccer identity of discipline, strength, and smart tactics. He also brings new ideas and gives young players a chance. He mixes practical choices with expressive attacking play, so Senegal stays strong on defence but can also attack in ways that are hard to predict.
This is made possible by amazing squad depth. The celebrated “Golden Generation” is still key to the team. Sadio Mané can change games with his speed and skill. Edouard Mendy brings calm and confidence as a goalie. Kalidou Koulibaly leads the defence with authority. Idrissa Gueye balances the midfield with experience and hard work. These players have proven themselves in AFCON, the World Cup, and top European leagues.
They are joined by rising stars who give Senegal fresh energy and choices. Nicolas Jackson's sharp movement and finishing improve the attack. Ibrahim Mbaye is athletic and can play many positions. Lamine Camara, one of Africa’s most exciting young midfielders, adds creativity. Together, experienced leaders and young talent give the Lions depth, drive, and many styles of play.
As AFCON 2025 gets closer, Senegal is a favourite because of their momentum, balance, and belief in themselves. They can control games and create winning plays. The Teranga Lions will again be watched closely as they try to win the title.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
BRAD FRIEDEL LABELS WESTON MCKENNIE THE "MOST TALENTED" USMNT PLAYER OVER PULISIC
Brad Friedel sparks debate by naming Weston McKennie as more talented than Christian Pulisic for the USMNT in 2026.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel doesn’t think Christian Pulisic is the top American player right now. In his eyes, Weston McKennie is the most talented option Mauricio Pochettino's got, even though Pulisic usually gets all the attention as “Captain America.”
Pulisic does have his fans, but he hasn’t scored for the national team since 2024 and was pretty quiet during the last international break. The US had a rough time, losing 5-2 to Belgium and 2-0 to Portugal. Those friendlies were supposed to get the team ready for big opponents at the 2026 World Cup, but honestly, they just brought up even more doubts. McKennie was one of the few players who actually looked up for it, and Friedel is absolutely convinced he’s the best talent the US has right now.
The team was missing some key names, too. Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams were all out. Richards made it back for the Portugal game, but Adams’ absence in midfield was impossible to ignore. Friedel says people are making too much of these recent defeats. He thinks you have to judge the team on how they do in big tournaments, especially this summer. Still, he admits Adams is the one who keeps everyone connected, and when he’s out there, it makes McKennie better, which ends up making life easier for Pulisic.
Pochettino has a headache picking his squad for the World Cup. He’s still not set on his goalkeeper, his defence, his midfield, or even the attack. According to Friedel, no matter who fills those spots, the USMNT’s hopes really come down to what McKennie and Adams bring to the table.
Talking to Express Sport via Oddspedia, Friedel said, “The U.S. has always needed all our best guys. We’ve never been the kind of team that can go 30 deep and not lose quality except in 2002. That was the only year when anyone could’ve started, and we wouldn’t have missed a beat. Tyler is the glue for the team. He doesn’t care if you’re seven feet tall; if you’re not pulling your weight, he’ll call you out. He’s just that type of player.”
Friedel went on, “I coached a lot of these guys when I ran the under-19s. Weston McKennie is, for me, the most talented footballer we have. He can do so many things, but he needs to be fit and focused. With Juventus this season, he’s looked sharp, and he’s carrying that form into the World Cup. If he’s got Tyler alongside him, no matter where Weston ends up playing, Tyler keeps him disciplined. You always get the best version of McKennie when Adams is on the field. If those two are fit and playing well, they open up the space that lets Christian do what he does best.”
Pochettino is staring down a huge challenge to get this team ready for the World Cup. He knows they’re nowhere near their peak, but he keeps insisting they’re not far off either. If Adams can stay healthy, something that’s been tough for him lately, that would take a lot of pressure off the coach. Without him, it shows. With him, everything just seems to fall into place.
