Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal (R) in action during the international friendly match between England and Senegal in Nottingham, Britain, 10 June 2025. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
Saturday Apr 04, 2026. 15:00
Kalidou Koulibaly has suggested that the 2026 World Cup could be the last time that Senegal fans see him in the colours of the national team.
The 34-year-old centre-back made his debut for the Lions of Teranga against Namibia on 5 September 2015 and has gone on to rack up more than 100 appearances for his country, many of them as captain.
Koulibaly etched his name into Senegalese folklore when he skippered Aliou Cisse’s side to their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title in February 2022 before repeating the feat this year.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Senegal of the trophy last month and crowned Morocco as champions, after deeming that Pape Thiaw’s team had forfeited the match when they walked off the pitch for 16 minutes during the final.
Koulibaly will lead the Lions of Teranga once more at the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States, but could hand over the baton to the next generation after the tournament.
“I think this will be my last World Cup; I won’t be playing in the World Cup when I’m 39,” he said in an interview with the Senegalese website ‘Media Car’.
“There are young players who aspire to join the national team, and they deserve to be part of it. We’ll see what happens after the World Cup.
“When the time is right, we will hand over the baton. I haven’t decided yet; I have a rough idea, but we’ll see. I don’t like to talk about the future, but we know we’re nearing the end.”