Ahead of the France vs. Senegal clash in the 2026 World Cup, the president of Senegal’s National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, offered both a sporting and political perspective on this highly anticipated fixture.

Speaking in an interview, he voiced his support for the Lions of Teranga while emphasising the match’s symbolic significance. “I think Senegal will win. I hope so, like all Senegalese. In any case, it’s just a football match,” he said.

Beyond the sporting stakes, Ousmane Sonko believes this showdown highlights the deep ties between Africa and Europe, particularly through the composition of the French team.

“Whoever wins, it’s Africa that will have beaten Africa. Just looking at the makeup of the French national team, it reminds us of where the real need lies,” he stated.

The president of the National Assembly also called on Africans to recognise their potential and strengths. According to him, the continent boasts abundant natural resources, significant human capital, and a largely young population—factors that should enable Africa to claim a greater role in global affairs.

“If we know our worth and embrace it, we’ll understand that the scale of needs isn’t necessarily where we think it is,” he argued.

For Ousmane Sonko, this reflection also ties into debates on immigration and the relationship between Africa and Western countries, which he believes must be reconsidered in light of the continent’s demographic, economic, and human realities.