Iliman Ndiaye, the Senegal and Everton midfielder, has set out his country's ambitions in the most direct terms possible: Senegal are at the 2026 World Cup to win it.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Ndiaye said the squad "never fear anyone" — a statement of collective confidence as Senegal prepare to face France in their opening group game, a rematch of one of African football's most celebrated moments.

Echoes of 2002

That 2002 meeting between Senegal and France — in which the then-defending champions were stunned by a Senegalese side making their World Cup debut — remains a touchstone for the current generation. Ndiaye revealed that El Hadji Diouf, one of the standout players from that historic campaign, has addressed the squad and spoken about the significance of that famous victory.

The story is particularly resonant in 2026: Senegal face France again in the group stage, and expectations on the African continent have never been higher.

Africa's two strongest sides

Senegal and Morocco are widely regarded as the continent's best hopes at this tournament. BBC correspondents Isaac Fanin, reporting from Los Angeles, and Lee James and John Bennett in New York have reflected on Morocco's opening match against Brazil, as well as the recent Africa Cup of Nations final contested between the two sides.

That Afcon final adds an extra layer of rivalry and mutual respect between Senegal and Morocco heading into the World Cup, with both nations carrying the weight of a continent's expectations.

A tournament beyond the scoreline

The coverage comes from More than the Score, the BBC World Service podcast that aims to go beyond match results and explore the new teams, standout stars, trends, and fandoms shaping the 2026 World Cup. With 48 nations competing across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the series promises deeper reporting from the group stages through to the final.

For Ndiaye and Senegal, the journey begins against France — and, if the midfielder's words are anything to go by, they intend to make it a long one.