Senegal football federation confronts leadership crisis after World Cup exit

A special flight carrying Senegal’s official World Cup delegation was delayed, with arrival at Dakar’s Blaise Diagne Airport now expected around 13:00 GMT on 7 July 2026. The aircraft, chartered by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, included federation officials and guests who accompanied the national team.

Following the team’s 3‑2 loss to Belgium in the round of 16, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) scheduled an emergency executive committee meeting for 11 July 2026 in Dakar. President Abdoulaye Fall will lead the session, which will review the tournament’s technical reports and decide the future of head coach Pape Thiaw, whose position has been described as “severely weakened.” The meeting is expected to be tense as officials assess responsibility for the early elimination.