Previous World Cup appearances: 3Best performance: Quarterfinals (2002)First appearance: 2002 (South Korea and Japan)Top goal scorer: Papa Bouba Diop (3)Most appearances: Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly, Ismaila Sarr (7)Player to watch: Sadio ManeFIFA world ranking: 14In their first ever World Cup match in 2002, Senegal shocked the world by beating the defending champions France 1-0, and went on to top a tricky group that also included Denmark and Uruguay.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe Lions of Teranga followed up that upset by knocking out Sweden in the last 16 and narrowly fell to Turkiye 1-0 in the quarterfinals.Nearly a quarter of a century on, Senegal arrive at their third consecutive World Cup as arguably – if not quite officially – the best side in Africa, and potential outsiders to lift the trophy.Senegal were unbeaten in qualifying, and made a strong statement against England recently, becoming the first African side to beat the Three Lions winning 3-1 at Wembley last June.Their recent AFCON final against Morocco may have been marred by farce after they temporarily left the pitch in protest at a penalty, but there’s no doubting their individual talent or strength as a unit.Senegal have “big dreams” to “achieve great things”, coach Pape Thiaw said as he unveiled a 28-man squad earlier this month – which he will have to trim by two players before the tournament.Mane’s final World Cup actVeteran forward and captain Sadio Mane, 34, is set to play in his last World Cup – he said he will retire from int …
