Mamadou Sarr has moved ahead as the likeliest starter alongside Moussa Niakhaté in central defence for Senegal when they meet France on Tuesday at 21:00.
Coach Pape Thiaw faces a selection dilemma after Kalidou Koulibaly returned to the field following nearly two months out; Koulibaly is available but short of competitive minutes, a condition that has opened the door for Sarr to claim a starting berth.
The numerical reality is simple: Koulibaly's long absence means he may need time to regain match rhythm. That has pushed Sarr into contention for a high-profile slot at the heart of the back four, where continuity with Niakhaté would be one clear argument for handing Sarr the shirt for Tuesday's game.
Senegal otherwise reach the fixture at full strength. Idrissa Gueye has also returned from injury and is expected to start as the holding midfielder, a selection that would give the defence an experienced screen in front of them. Up front, Nicolas Jackson is expected to lead the attack while Sadio Mané is pencilled in on the left; Ismaïla Sarr remains described as a dangerous winger on a good night.
There is another selection contest in midfield. Lamine Camara and Habib Diarra are competing for a spot alongside Gueye; Thiaw's choice between them will shape how much cover the centre-backs receive and whether the team leans toward energy or control in midfield.
Pape Thiaw could delay Koulibaly's return to the starting eleven in favour of the player showing sharper recent minutes. Choosing Sarr would prioritise immediate match readiness and a settled pairing with Niakhaté; starting Koulibaly would prioritise leadership and experience after a long layoff. Both paths are defensible and both carry consequences for how Senegal set up at kick-off.
The World Cup buildup is visible off the pitch as well: supporters at home have been buying more maillots and accessories ahead of the France match, with shirts priced between 10,000 and 25,000 FCFA and flocage selling for about 3,000 FCFA in some shops, the number 10 proving the most popular among buyers.
What matters next is straightforward: Thiaw must publish his starting eleven before kick-off. The key unanswered decision is whether he will hand the first whistle to Mamadou Sarr and the in-form partnership with Niakhaté, or reinstate Kalidou Koulibaly immediately despite his nearly two-month absence. That choice will define Senegal's defensive approach at 21:00 on Tuesday.
