Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urges World Cup squad to pray, taps Sadio Mane as team imam

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sent a public message to the national football team ahead of its participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the message he emphasized unity, discipline and religious observance, urging players to perform their prayers on time, read the Qur'an regularly and maintain spiritual values during the tournament.

Faye specifically highlighted star forward Sadio Mane, praising his recitation and suggesting the player act as the team’s imam during prayer sessions. The president also called for humility, brotherhood and teamwork, linking moral conduct to on‑field success. The remarks quickly attracted widespread attention within Senegal and among the global football community.