The sanctions imposed on Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw, several Senegalese players, as well as Moroccans Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari, will only apply to competitions organized by CAF. They will not affect the 2026 World Cup.
As revealed by RMC Sport, FIFA has decided to let the African Football Confederation handle the disciplinary actions related to the incidents that occurred during the Africa Cup of Nations final. Although the global body has the power to extend these sanctions to all international competitions, it chose not to do so.
In practice, Senegal will be able to field its full squad and coach for the World Cup, including their match against France scheduled for June 16. Pape Thiaw was suspended for five matches in African competitions after urging his players to leave the field following a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time of the final. He was also fined $100,000 for “unsportsmanlike behavior, violation of fair play principles, and damaging the image of football.”
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, received a two-match suspension each for “unsportsmanlike behavior towards the referee.” On the Moroccan side, Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match suspension, one of which is suspended, while Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban related to the “towel incident.” Again, these sanctions will only be valid in CAF competitions.
Thus, if Moroccan coach Walid Regragui decides to call them up, Hakimi and Saibari will be able to participate in the Group C matches of the 2026 World Cup against Brazil (June 14), Scotland (June 20), and Haiti (June 25). FIFA has confirmed that it does not intend to extend these sanctions internationally, assuring both African teams that they can count on a full squad for the tournament.
