El Hadji Malick Diouf started for Senegal and played 54 minutes as Norway beat the Lions of Teranga 3-2 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I meeting.
The West Ham United defender was named in Aliou Cisse’s side for the match in New Jersey, giving Hammers supporters another close look at one of the club’s key international representatives during the summer tournament.
Diouf’s involvement was confirmed in a fresh update from West Ham United, with the club noting that he completed just under an hour before Senegal chased the game late on.
Why Diouf’s minutes matter for West Ham
For West Ham, the performance matters beyond the scoreline. Diouf is heading into a pivotal club season, and tournament minutes against elite opposition can sharpen both his match rhythm and defensive concentration before pre-season resumes.
Senegal’s defeat also leaves the group picture tense. Ismaila Sarr scored twice, but Norway’s win means Senegal now have work to do in their final group fixture against Iraq.
West Ham will mainly want Diouf to come through the tournament fit. A 54-minute start in a high-tempo World Cup game gives Nuno Espirito Santo another useful marker of where the defender stands before the club’s Championship reset gathers pace.
