World Cup 2026: Senegal on the brink of the abyss

The contrast is stark. Arriving at the World Cup with the ambition of confirming their status among the great African nations, Senegal finds itself in a tough spot after just two matchdays. In a challenging group, consisting of France, Norway, and Iraq, the Lions knew that the margin for error would be slim. It is now almost non-existent.

Classements Mondial 2026 en attente des premiers resultats.

The first blow came from France. On June 16, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, Pape Thiaw’s men held out for a long time before conceding in the second half. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 66th minute, Bradley Barcola then doubled the lead, before Ibrahim Mbaye reduced the deficit in stoppage time. But Mbappé, once again, sealed the French victory in the dying moments. Final score: 3-1.

This initial defeat could still be put into perspective against one of the favorites of the tournament. The second loss, however, against Norway plunged Senegal into a critical situation.

Haaland and Norway Push the Lions Down

Against Norway, Senegal had the opportunity to revive their tournament. They ultimately conceded a second defeat, despite a show of pride led by Ismaïla Sarr. The Norwegians took the lead before the break through Marcus Pedersen, capitalizing on a Senegalese defensive error. After halftime, Erling Haaland quickly made it 2-0 before Ismaïla Sarr gave the Lions hope in the 53rd minute.

But the hope was short-lived. Five minutes later, Haaland struck again, scoring Norway’s third goal with a powerful shot. In stoppage time, Sarr netted a brace to bring Senegal back to 3-2. Too late to avoid another defeat.

With this victory, Norway joins France at the top of the group with six points. Both teams are already well placed to continue their journey, while Senegal and Iraq remain stuck on zero points. The last match between the two teams, scheduled for June 26, thus becomes a survival final for the Lions.

Aucun match Mondial 2026 disponible pour le moment.

Senegal must beat Iraq, ideally with a favorable margin, to hope to finish third and be among the best third-placed teams qualifying for the Round of 16. In the new 48-team World Cup format, this possibility keeps a door slightly open. But it will not only depend on Senegal’s result.

Endless Stories of Bonuses

This situation is all the more bitter as the Lions approached this World Cup with high expectations. Senegal had just enjoyed a strong continental exposure, despite the turmoil resulting from the controversial CAN 2025 final against Morocco. The team had also displayed significant ambitions during qualifiers, supported by an experienced generation and several influential players.

But on the pitch, certainties have crumbled. Against France, Senegal showed good sequences but couldn’t maintain them over time. Against Norway, the Lions paid dearly for their defensive errors and their difficulty in containing Erling Haaland, who scored a decisive brace. Ismaïla Sarr’s offensive realism was not enough to mask the team’s collective fragilities.

On top of these sporting difficulties, there is a delicate internal context. In recent days, several media have reported tensions surrounding the national team, particularly regarding the contractual situation of coach Pape Thiaw, bonuses, and certain logistical conditions. However, before the match against Norway, the Senegalese coach sought to calm tensions, assuring that his contract situation was resolved and that the team remained focused on the competition.

Nevertheless, Senegal can no longer afford to make mistakes. The match against Iraq must be approached with clarity, efficiency, and emotional control. A victory would not automatically guarantee qualification, but a poor performance would mark the premature end of a World Cup that started with great expectations.

Twenty-four years after the 2002 epic, the Lions dreamed of rewriting a strong chapter in their World Cup history. For now, they must primarily avoid a humiliating exit. The last group match will determine whether this World Cup remains a mere bump in the road or one of the great disappointments in Senegalese football.