Iliman Ndiaye, the Senegal international forward, has reiterated that Senegal remains the 'champion of Africa' in his view, as the team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking to BBC World Service, Ndiaye emphasized the pride of being African champions, a title Senegal won at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, defeating Egypt on penalties in the final on February 6, 2022.
Senegal's AFCON victory was their first in the tournament's history. Since then, the team has qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they reached the Round of 16, and secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ndiaye, who plays for Everton in the English Premier League, stressed that the team carries the spirit of that championship into every competition.
However, it is important to note that Senegal did not win the 2023 AFCON, which was held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024. That tournament was won by the host nation, Ivory Coast, who defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final. Senegal was eliminated in the Round of 16 by the same Ivory Coast team. Therefore, Ndiaye's statement reflects a personal or team sentiment rather than the current official continental champion status.
As of May 2026, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion is Ivory Coast, having won the 2023 edition. The next AFCON is scheduled to be hosted by Morocco in 2025 (postponed from 2025 to 2026 due to scheduling conflicts), but the winner has not yet been determined. Ndiaye's comments underscore the enduring pride and legacy of Senegal's historic 2021 triumph, even as the team looks ahead to the World Cup.
