2026 WCQ: Sudan and Senegal battle to draw

Nothing changed on Sunday in Group B from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying from the African region as group leaders Sudan played to a 0-0 draw with Senegal at their adopted home venue, the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.

It was a stalemate in Libya as hosts Sudan executed their defensive strategy well while Sadio Mané and Senegal struggled to find a way through the labyrinth of defenders organized by Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah.

Sudan 0-0 Senegal: Click here to watch highlights of the match

Senegal forward Boulaye Dia had the first good look in the 35th minute but failed to get good contact on an open header from Lamine Camara's cross. Sudan appealed for a penalty kick in the 49th minute when Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy spilled a long range effort and appeared to trip up a Sudanese attacker on the follow up attempt. However, the referee made the appropriate decision not to call a penalty kick.

Mané dealt with multiple defenders throughout the match but remained a threat along with Ismaïla Sarr on the opposite wing. Sarr had a good chance to fire on goal following a Sudanese turnover in the 52nd minute but the Crystal Palace winger's low effort went wide.

Sudan's best chance arrived in the 76th minute when a swift counter attack led to a cross where Abdel Raouf brilliantly took down a cross at the far post. The Al Hilal midfielder set up club teammate Walieldin Khidir for an open look at goal but he fired his effort wide of Mendy's goal. Senegal had one more chance in the 81st minute but substitute Cherif Ndiaye fired wide after Sudan goalkeeper Mohammed Mustafa saved an initial header on goal.

Sudan remain top of the group and will host rivals South Sudan in Benghazi on Tuesday. Senegal return back home to host Togo in a must-win match on the same day.

Group B Table (5 matches played)

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.