Ismail Jakobs

Ismail Jakobs is named in Senegal's provisional 28-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, a left-back in Pape Thiaw's defence. The list is due to be cut to a final 26 by 2 June 2026, so his place is at the projected stage for now. The Galatasaray defender is 26 at kick-off and brings 28 senior Senegal caps into the group, having started all four of Senegal's games at the 2022 World Cup.

Senegal play in Group I, opening against France at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on 16 June, with Norway and Iraq to follow. Pape Thiaw's side qualified by winning CAF Group B in October 2025, and Jakobs is listed among the defenders in that provisional squad, with Kalidou Koulibaly the captain.

Jakobs is a left-back whose game is built on getting forward down the left, supporting attacks with overlapping runs and delivery from wide areas. He defends the flank with the recovery pace to track back, and his crossing and set-piece delivery from the left add to what he brings going forward.

For Senegal he is an option at left-back with tournament minutes already behind him. He started all four of Senegal's games at the last World Cup, and his work down the flank keeps him among Pape Thiaw's defensive choices heading into a second tournament.

From left-back, Jakobs gives Senegal width going forward and cover at the back, the kind of two-way work a full-back offers on the card. A Tier 3 side, Senegal cost £17m a slot within the game's £200m card budget. With Norway and Iraq to follow the opener in Group I, Jakobs offers defending down the left, the recovery pace to track back and overlapping support going forward in the games he starts.