The suspensions handed down to Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw, along with several Senegalese players and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari, will only apply to competitions under CAF and will have no effect on the 2026 World Cup.
As revealed by RMC Sport, FIFA has chosen to fully delegate the management of disciplinary sanctions following the Africa Cup of Nations final to the African Football Confederation (CAF). Although the global body has the power to extend these sanctions internationally, it decided against it, leaving CAF to handle the matter alone.
In practice, Senegal can head into the 2026 World Cup with their full squad and coach. Pape Thiaw will be on the bench for the clash against France, set for June 16. The Senegalese coach 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 also received a fine of $100,000 for “unsportsmanlike behavior, violation of fair play principles, and damaging the image of football.”
Additionally, two Senegalese internationals, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, each received two-match suspensions for “unsportsmanlike behavior towards the referee,” penalties that will only apply to CAF-organized competitions.
On the Moroccan side, Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari were each handed two-match suspensions, one of which is suspended, and three matches related to the “towel incident.” Like the sanctions affecting the Senegalese camp, these suspensions will only apply to CAF-organized competitions.
As a result, if coach Walid Regragui decides to call them up, both players will be available to play all the matches in Group C of the 2026 World Cup against Brazil (June 14), Scotland (June 20), and Haiti (June 25). FIFA has confirmed it does not intend to extend these sanctions internationally, ensuring both African teams can approach the global tournament with a full squad.
