Senegal Football Federation (FSF) President Augustin Senghor says a disagreement over the national team’s coaching contract contributed to the country’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Senghor, former head coach Pape Thiaw demanded a significant salary increase after guiding the Lions of Teranga to World Cup qualification. The federation was unable to meet those financial demands, leading to uncertainty over the coaching position ahead of the tournament.
Senghor said the prolonged negotiations disrupted the team’s preparations and ultimately affected performances on the pitch. Senegal were eliminated in the Round of 32 after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Belgium, ending hopes of a deep World Cup run.
The federation later appointed experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz to lead the team, but Senghor acknowledged that the late change left little time for the squad to adapt to a new tactical approach before the tournament began.
The comments have sparked debate among Senegalese football supporters, with some blaming the federation’s handling of the coaching situation, while others argue that the players should still have performed better regardless of the managerial uncertainty. Senegal will now shift its focus to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the next World Cup qualifying campaign.
Leave a comment