Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is set to rejoin the national team camp ahead of their Round of 32 match against Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This follows a rigorous medical trip to Saudi Arabia where he underwent examinations after sustaining an injury during Senegal's group-stage match against Norway.

Injury Assessment in Saudi Arabia

Mendy's injury occurred during Senegal's second group match, which led to his absence in the final group fixture against Iraq, a match the Lions of Teranga won decisively with a score of 5-0. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Mendy undertook a demanding 30-hour round trip to Jeddah for a thorough assessment of a knee issue, with both his club, Al-Ahli, and the national team closely monitoring his recovery process.

Return to National Team Camp

Despite concerns regarding his injury, Mendy is expected to return to Senegal’s World Cup camp on Tuesday as they prepare for the knockout-stage clash against Belgium. Reports indicate that the goalkeeper was eager to make the trip back quickly to stay connected with his teammates and potentially witness the Round of 32 encounter.

While Mendy's immediate availability for the match remains uncertain, he is hopeful about returning to action later in the tournament if Senegal advances. The Senegalese Football Federation plans to reassess his condition upon his return to the camp before making any final decisions regarding his participation against Belgium. For now, the team continues its preparations with cautious optimism as they await further updates on Mendy's status.