Senegal’s WC participation journey kickoff with tension as Thiaw refuses to Travel

By Eyong Macdella

Journalist,kick442.com-Cameroon

There’s friction in Senegal’s setup right now as they leave for the 2026 World Cup as one of Africa’s representatives. However, the man piloting the team—Head coach Pape Thiaw, reportedly refused to board the plane with the team to the USA not until his contract situation is resolved.

Thiaw has been leading the team for three months without a renewed contract. His contract expired in February 2026 just after the AFCON triumph.

He insist if he has to be retained, then the authorities concerned will have to do the needful in order not to continue working without salary and an official deal binding him to the National team.

His grievances delayed the team’s departure, forcing personal intervention from Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye who assured the issue will be resolved after the World Cup.

However, new of the coach’s worry surfaces as he agrees to board the plane and travel with the squad to the US, with assurances that the contract and salary disputes will be resolved following.

This comes amidst a tense political atmosphere in the country. For several weeks now, discussions between the Senegalese football federation and the Ministry of Sports have not yielded fruits, leaving the coach in a state of uncertainty weeks to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The contract situation, has created tension in Senegal’s camp heading into World Cup in which Pape Thiaw is suppose to the nation in his second major tournament.

Pape Bouna Thiaw took over as head coach of Senegal’s senior men’s team in late 2024. Despite the controversy around the AFCON 2025 final, he has several notable achievements: He led Senegal to grabbing a second Africa Cup of Nations title in 3 editions, following their 2021 win. And produced a team that went unbeaten throughout the 2025 tournament and was praised for its defensive solidity and team spirit.
Under Thiaw, Senegal entered the final ranked #1 in Africa and top 20 globally.

The 2026 World Cup, which officially kicks off on June 14 for the Teranga Lions, will them clash with France, Norway and Iraq in group I.