Ismaïla Sarr absent from Senegal’s 2027 CAN qualifiers

Senegal will enter the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign without Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye. The two players are listed among the Lions’ absentees, reducing the national team’s available attacking options for the qualifiers.

Sarr is a 28-year-old right winger who plays for Crystal Palace and holds Senegalese nationality. His current market value is listed at €40 million. He joined the English club from Marseille in the 2024-25 season in a €15 million transfer, following his move from Watford to Marseille for €13 million in the previous campaign.

Sarr’s earlier transfers included a €30 million move from Stade Rennais to Watford in 2019-20 and a €17 million switch from Metz to Rennes in 2017-18. His player record lists ankle problems, but the status is marked unknown and no reason is given for his absence from the qualifiers. No table position or recent-form details are attached to the announcement, so the confirmed consequence is Senegal’s reduced selection of established players rather than any change in the qualifying standings. The same absence list also includes Iliman Ndiaye, although no further player details are provided.