USA and Senegal continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they clash in an international friendly in Charlotte.
The Teranga Lions are one of the teams to watch in North America, and given their impressive form lately, they are not expected to come away empty-handed from this one.
Key Stats
- Senegal have won six of their last seven matches.
- Senegal have scored in six of their last seven matches.
- Senegal have led at some point in eight of their last 10 matches.
- USA have lost their last two matches.
- Both teams have scored in six of USA’s last seven matches.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first-ever meeting between USA and Senegal at this level
USA Struggling for momentum
As one of the hosts of the World Cup, USA were not particularly tested in a rigorous qualifying campaign. They have had to make do with friendlies, and their last competitive outing came at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July 2025.
It was an ultimately disappointing campaign for the USA at last year's Gold Cup. While Mauricio Pochettino's team progressed all the way to the final, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to bitter rival Mexico.
Things have been erratic since that tournament, with a 5-1 victory over Uruguay and a 2-1 triumph over Australia among their friendly results. However, they have lost their last two matches, falling 5-2 to Belgium before losing 2-0 to Portugal, with both matches played on home soil.
Senegal Looking Sharp
Senegal have looked solid in the build-up to the World Cup and are considered one of Africa’s brightest prospects. They have been in the news for off-field reasons after their 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco in the AFCON final was overturned by CAF, with the trophy awarded to the North Africans.
While that decision is being contested, Senegal’s performances on the pitch have been without question. Pape Bouna Thiaw’s men come into this clash with six wins in their last seven matches.
The Teranga Lions had two friendlies in March and were victorious in both. They claimed a 2-0 victory over Peru and followed up that result with a 3-1 triumph over Gambia.
Team News
USA (3-4-3): Matt Turner; Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Austin Trusty, Alex Freeman; Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna; Timothy Weah, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi.
Patrick Agyemang was part of the squad that faced Portugal in March but has been left out of the World Cup squad. Josh Sargent and Atalanta’s Yunus Musah also miss out.
Senegal (4-3-3): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Abdoulaye Seck, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ismail Jakobs; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr; Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson.
Manager Thiaw has stuck with much of the team that reached the AFCON final in January. The trio of Habib Diallo, Boulaye Dia, and Mamadou Diakhon all missed out, having featured in the March friendlies.