Boulaye Dia's limited offensive output at Lazio jeopardizes his 2026 World Cup prospects

National team coach Pape Thiaw is closely monitoring the situation of several key players, including striker Boulaye Dia, as the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and preparations approach. Dia is experiencing a challenging period at Lazio, with limited offensive production. In 23 matches across all competitions during the 2025-2026 season, he has recorded only 2 goals and 1 assist. This low output is impacting his standing within the squad led by Pape Thiaw, especially with increasing competition in the offensive sector. While Dia has had some positive moments, such as scoring in the Coppa Italia against Inter Milan and in Serie A against Hellas Verona, and providing an assist against Bologna, his overall contribution remains limited, with a direct goal involvement rate of 7%. His playing time has also been inconsistent, starting 12 out of 21 league matches and coming on as a substitute 9 times, while being an unused substitute in 5 matches. Injuries and interruptions have further affected his rhythm. With 38 national team caps and 6 goals, Dia only played 38 minutes in one match at the last Africa Cup of Nations. As Pape Thiaw prepares to narrow down his squad for the 2026 World Cup, player performances in club football will be a decisive factor.