Senegal football delegation faces travel hurdles ahead of World Cup 2026 match

Several Senegalese journalists and officials were unable to travel to Toronto for the final group game of the 2026 World Cup because they held only a single‑entry U.S. visa. A trip to Canada would have required a new visa to re‑enter the United States, forcing most of the delegation to stay behind. Only a few reporters who flew directly from Senegal could attend.

At the same time, Pape Sidy Lo, the third vice‑president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), refused to board a charter flight from New York to Toronto. He claimed the federation’s president and secretary‑general failed to inform him directly about the trip, sparking an internal dispute over communication and leadership appointments. These logistical and administrative issues unfolded as Senegal prepared to face Iraq in a decisive group‑stage match in Toronto.