The wild scenes that marked the Africa Cup of Nations final continue to generate a lot of buzz in Senegal. Ten days after the Lions’ victory over Morocco (1-0), one burning question is on everyone’s lips: could these incidents cost Senegal its spot in the 2026 World Cup? With the verdict from the African Football Confederation’s (CAF) disciplinary committee just around the corner, the tension is palpable, even if several signs point to optimism.
Qualified in Group I of the qualifiers, alongside France, Norway, and a future playoff team, Senegal is in a good position to compete in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, the 2021 and 2025 African champions are under scrutiny from CAF due to their temporary withdrawal from the pitch during the final, an act deemed against the rules. The disciplinary committee of the continental body meets this Tuesday to rule on these events, fueling speculation and rumors about potential heavy sanctions.
According to L’Équipe, a World Cup exclusion seems highly unlikely. The French daily explains that, according to FIFA legal experts, sanctions imposed by CAF can only be continental. In other words, they may affect African competitions but won’t automatically extend to a global event. Even in the unlikely scenario where CAF sought to extend sanctions internationally, the international federation would refuse to go along with it.
On the Senegalese side, the message is reassuring. The team, now led by Pape Bouna Thiaw, exudes calm, just like the federal bodies. Speaking on RTS, former international referee Malang Diedhiou, now president of the referees’ commission of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), was adamant. Surrounded by several federal officials, he stated that nothing would stop the Lions from participating in the North American World Cup. “Nothing will prevent us from going to the World Cup,” he emphasized.
Now, we await the exact nature of the sanctions that could be imposed on Senegal. Fines, warnings, symbolic sanctions, or disciplinary measures limited to the African context: all options are on the table, except for exclusion from the World Cup. The CAF verdict is highly anticipated, not for the Lions’ global future, which seems secure, but to gauge the real impact of this tumultuous final on Senegalese football in the short term.
