Senegal's World Cup campaign is on the brink of collapse after a chaotic build-up marked by governance failures, unpaid wages, and poor performances. The Lions of Teranga have lost their opening two Group I matches, against France and Norway, leaving them needing a convincing win over Iraq on Friday to have any chance of advancing.
Governance crisis at the FSF
Former Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) president Augustin Senghor, who oversaw successful World Cup campaigns in Russia and Qatar, lost his job in August elections. Senghor told the Guardian: "After losing the election I decided to stay quiet and not talk too much about football, to allow the new administration to take charge, with my cooperation and full support." His departure has been followed by a series of administrative blunders under new president Abdoulaye Fall.
Coach's contract dispute
Head coach Pape Thiaw had been without a contract since February and was owed five months' wages, leading him to refuse to travel to the US for the World Cup until President Bassirou Diomaye Faye intervened. Senghor said: "When this situation happened, Pape called me to discuss it. I told him that he had to focus on the assignment for our nation and not be distracted." Sources reported a $100,000-per-month salary demand as the sticking point, but Thiaw insisted: "It was not never a money issue but a principles and respect issue."
On-field struggles
Senegal's 3-2 loss to Norway followed a defeat to France, marking the first time they have lost two consecutive World Cup matches since 2002. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, lacking fitness after a muscle injury with Al-Hilal, admitted: "Every ball I touched went wrong. I made a lot of mistakes... We know the level here is very high, and you can't afford mistakes."
Selection and future
Criticism has mounted over Thiaw's reluctance to use young talent like Pape Matar Sarr, while Sadio Mané has been ineffective. Senegal must beat Iraq by a significant margin to progress, and failure could end Thiaw's 18-month tenure.
