Senegal's Lamine Camara, Nicolas Jackson and Idrissa Gueye react during their FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I match against France at New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026.
All has not been well in the Senegalese camp.
Problems started even before the Teranga Lions flew to New Jersey in USA America for the 48-team Fifa World Cup.
Twenty-four days ago, media reports out of Dakar indicated that Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, had declined to travel to the USA for their World Cup preparations because he had not signed a new contract with the Senegalese Football Federation (SFF) after the previous one had expired.
The SFF then denied there was any dispute and even offered that Thiaw’s departure had been delayed by logistical issues concerning travel. The team flew to Piscataway in New Jersey, and are utilising Rutgers University as their official Team Base Camp.
Then, days after their 3-1 loss to France in their Group ‘C’ match of the Fifa World Cup, stories started surfacing here of unrest in the Senegalese camp with players agitating for payment of their bonuses dating back to last year, with reports that the coach’s contract remained unresolved.
And as Teranga Lions prepared for perhaps their most important match of this campaign, against Norway, the pre-match press conference on Sunday was dominated by questions about their off-field conduct rather than the important matter of fighting for survival in the tournament.
Senegal players pose for a team group photo before their FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I match against France at New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026.
Time and again, Thiaw and reserve goalkeeper Mory Diaw were asked to clarify the reports of disturbances in their camp.
“It is true there have been a couple of issues that need to be ironed out on the side of the players and me. But we are focused on the match tomorrow,” Thiaw said.
When pressed further again to explain if he now has a contract, Thiaw revealed much without saying anything.
“Yes, the problem of the contract has been fixed. It took too long. It was not a money issue but an issue of respect and honour,” he said.
When he was asked to provide the details of the contract, the former Senegal international forward responded.
“Senegalese patriotism is more important than the questions about the contract. It has been signed, and it is confidential.”
What of the talk about players demanding to be paid their bonuses?
“These are things we deal with internally. We are professional players, and we are here to represent our country,” said Diaw. (GK)
Interestingly, the scores of Senegalese journalists at the press conference at New York, New Jersey Stadium press centre curiously avoided this line of questioning, instead probing about squad selection and game strategy.
Cases of pay disputes within African teams participating in the World Cup are not new.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw reacts during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match against France at New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026.
The best known was at the 2014 World Cup when Ghana players threatened to boycott their final group match against Portugal in Brasilia unless they were paid their bonuses and appearance fees. The stand-off was eventually resolved when the government famously airlifted millions in cash to Brazil to pay the players.
Cameroon players delayed their departure to the 2014 World Cup, demanding a resolution to a long-running dispute over bonus payment, forcing the Cameroon Football Federation to take a loan to settle their dues.
The Cameroon team was also involved in a similar dispute ahead of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan.
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