Senegal arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying the weight of high expectations — yet, after two straight defeats, the Teranga Lions find themselves on the brink of an early exit, and the chaos off the pitch has been almost as striking as the struggles on it.
Bonus payments and food complaints
Among the most pressing issues to emerge from inside the Senegal camp were unpaid player bonuses. The payments, owed to players and staff, were eventually settled by the government just days ago — but the delay had already cast a shadow over preparations.
Food complaints have also circulated, though the situation is more nuanced than it first appeared. The squad's regular chef — the professional who plans menus months in advance — accompanied the team through their pre-tournament friendlies against the USA in Charlotte and Saudi Arabia in San Antonio, before departing for personal reasons ahead of the World Cup itself.
A replacement chef was brought in, and players are reported to have no complaints about the catering. The discontent has instead come from non-playing members of the delegation — officials and others staying at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey — who were disappointed not to find Senegalese dishes on the menu and, on occasion, went elsewhere to eat.
Some Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) officials also brought family members to the United States, at their own expense, who stayed nearby and at times mingled in close proximity with the squad — a situation that did not sit well with everyone in the camp.
Thiaw's contract saga
Manager Pape Thiaw, a veteran of Senegal's historic 2002 World Cup campaign, has been at the centre of a separate but equally disruptive dispute. When Thiaw was appointed in 2024 he accepted a salary of roughly £210,000 per year. After steering Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations final in January 2025, however, he was in a far stronger negotiating position — and his original deal had expired immediately after that tournament.
Contract extension talks dragged on for months. In Senegal, both the signing and payment of a coach's contract must receive approval from the ministries of sport and finance, and a period of political upheaval — including the dismissal of the government and removal of the prime minister — further complicated proceedings.
At one point, associates of Thiaw publicly warned he might refuse to board the flight to the US. Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye intervened personally, contacting Thiaw directly and pledging a swift resolution. Newly appointed sports minister Djireye Clotilde Coly then travelled to the United States, attending the opening match against France and reaffirming the assurances made to Thiaw.
An agreement was ultimately reached: a new contract worth £480,000 per year, with an additional £80,000 annual bonus.
