Senegal football team plagued by off‑field disputes at World Cup 2026

Senegal’s national team, still fighting to stay in the World Cup 2026 group stage, has been rocked by a series of off‑field problems in the United States. Coach Pape Thiaw entered the tournament without a signed contract and without pay since February, prompting negotiations that only concluded after intervention by Senegal’s president. The federation later agreed a €570,000 salary and bonuses. Players have also complained about unpaid bonuses from the African Cup of Nations and about the quality of hotel meals, with several refusing the provided food and ordering their own.

El Hadji Diouf, a Senegalese football legend, said the players “don’t need all this confusion” amid the turmoil. Thiaw acknowledged a “small chaos” but stressed the squad’s focus on the upcoming match against Iraq, emphasizing that “we are professionals and will represent our country.” The issues have involved the Senegalese diaspora in the US and Canada, who protested ticket allocations for group‑stage games.