2026 FIFA World Cup: Kevin De Bruyne wary of Senegal
Just hours before the highly anticipated match between Belgium and Senegal in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, Kevin De Bruyne expressed his admiration for the Lions.
In an interview with RTBF, the Belgian midfielder was full of praise for the Senegalese national team: “Senegal is one of the best teams in Africa. They’ve won the AFCON, they’ve finished first, second… It doesn’t matter, they’re simply a great footballing nation
They have some very good players, against whom I’ve often played,” said Kevin De Bruyne.
Senegal and Belgium are set to meet on Wednesday, July 1st, at 8:00 PM GMT in Seattle, with a spot in the round of 16 on the line. Senegal has qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times, in 2002, 2018, 2022, and 2026, with their best finish being a quarterfinal appearance in 2002.
That year, they famously upset reigning champions France in their tournament debut and also advanced to the round of 16 in 2022.
Ahead of the game, Senegal has confirmed that their first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to Saudi Arabia for medical examinations following a knee injury, which could potentially keep him out of the Round of 32 fixture.
