The elimination of Senegal in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Belgium (3-2) marked the end of the Lions of Teranga’s journey in the tournament. After several days of waiting and uncertainty about their return home, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has finally confirmed that the official delegation will arrive in Dakar on Tuesday, July 7 at 9:15 AM. The arrival is set for Blaise Diagne International Airport, bringing an end to a period filled with questions about the logistics of the return trip.
In a statement released this Sunday, the FSF announced that the trip will be facilitated by a special flight chartered by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This solution was chosen after validating the necessary arrangements for the flight plan, allowing for the delegation’s return to be organized under satisfactory conditions. The announcement puts an end to the speculation surrounding the repatriation schedule since the Lions’ elimination.
The days following the defeat against Belgium were indeed marked by several organizational difficulties. These constraints delayed the collective return of the delegation and raised many questions about the logistics of their journey to Dakar. The lack of official communication in the early hours also fueled discussions around this unusual situation, until the relevant parties found a definitive solution.
For the Senegalese Football Federation, this development is a favorable outcome. The organization believes that the obstacles encountered have been gradually overcome thanks to the mobilization of the relevant authorities. The establishment of the special flight has thus stabilized the logistical arrangements and ensured a coordinated return of the official delegation after Senegal’s participation in the World Cup.
The FSF also clarified that not all members of the squad will return together. Right after the match against Belgium, the players and part of the technical staff were granted permission to leave the base camp. Several internationals went directly to their respective clubs to prepare for the upcoming season, while others returned to their residences without waiting for the official delegation’s return.
Only the federation officials, some staff members, and those involved in the official mission will make this collective trip to Dakar. This practice is common after major international competitions, where players are allowed to fulfill their professional or family obligations as soon as their national team journey ends.
🚨 After the elimination of the Lions, the crisis continues: two deputies are preparing a resolution proposal to create a parliamentary inquiry commission on the management of the FSF. The text has not yet been officially submitted.
Subscribe to @ocgfoot to follow the case 👀… pic.twitter.com/WYLhCG4Fyh
— OCG Foot (@ocgfoot) July 5, 2026
In its statement, the Federation finally expressed its gratitude to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Senegalese authorities for their involvement in resolving the difficulties encountered. Their intervention allowed for the completion of the necessary administrative and logistical steps for organizing the special flight. With this arrival scheduled for Tuesday morning in Dakar, the Lions of Teranga will definitively close the chapter on the 2026 World Cup, marked by an early elimination but also by a well-organized return home.
