Senegal rejects World Cup delay due to coaching disputes | World Cup 2026 news

Senegal were stripped of the AFCON title after boycotting the finals and now face the challenges of the World Cup.

Reports that Senegal coach Pape Thiaw is refusing to travel to the United States to prepare for the ⁠World Cup ⁠ are false, according to the Senegalese Football Federation FSF.

News reports in Africa say Thiaw was involved in a contract dispute with the ⁠FSF after his contract expired in February and that his frustration over negotiations was hampering his trip on Wednesday, causing his departure to be delayed by nearly eight hours.

The FSF said the rumors were untrue and that operational issues – airline permits and visas – were responsible for the delay.

“The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) wants to inform the people of the world and all the countries about what happened to the departure of the football team to the United States, to confirm the truth by following the wrong information that is spread by other media and on social media,” he said.

“The FSF strongly refutes the unfounded rumors that the national team manager refused to travel for reasons related to the renegotiation of his contract.

“These small setbacks will not undermine the unity and determination of the players, the professionals and the community.” The team will remain united as the Lions approach an important game that awaits them in America.

Thiaw, 45, became Senegal’s head coach in December 2024 and led the Teranga Lions to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, a tournament that ended in January.

The victory against Morocco in the finals was marred by a strike in the middle of the game when the players and coaches walked out of the stadium to protest the referee’s decision, especially to award penalties to their opponents in injury time.

Back on the pitch, after a 14-minute suspension, Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz missed the ball and Senegal won 1-0 in extra time.

The trophy was awarded to Morocco following an appeal by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Senegal has sent their request to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for this, but a decision may take a year to arrive.

This will be Senegal’s fourth time at the World Cup, starting in Group I in 2026. They will face France on June 16 and Norway on June 22 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Iraq in Toronto on June 26.

They also have to play two games before the World Cup – starting on Sunday against the United States in Charlotte, North Carolina, and then on June 9 against Saudi Arabia in San Antonio, Texas.