The elimination of Senegal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup against Belgium continues to spark a lot of reactions. Just days after this early exit, new information is fueling the debate about the atmosphere within the national team during the tournament. While the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) is already going through a tough time marked by several controversies, revelations suggest there were disagreements among some key players of the Lions even before the tournament began. Although these claims have not been officially confirmed, they raise questions about the team’s preparation and group cohesion.
According to information published by the French media Foot Mercato, several differences emerged in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. One of the main topics of discussion was the situation of Malang Sarr. After a solid season with RC Lens, the 27-year-old defender hoped to make Pape Thiaw’s final squad. In the end, the coach chose not to include him among the players called up for the tournament, placing him only in the reserve group. This decision reportedly sparked debates within the team.
According to the same source, a meeting was held before the departure for the World Cup between Pape Thiaw and several leaders in the locker room. Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, and Idrissa Gana Guèye reportedly took part in these discussions aimed at addressing certain sporting choices, including the case of Malang Sarr. The goal of this meeting was to gather the opinions of the senior players on the squad composition and the balances to maintain before the tournament kicked off.
However, the discussions revealed differing views among some influential players. According to Foot Mercato, Sadio Mané believed that Malang Sarr deserved a spot on the final list due to his performances throughout the season. In contrast, Kalidou Koulibaly defended the existing choices, opposing the inclusion of the Lens defender. This divergence of opinions reportedly created a tense atmosphere among several members of the group, even though no public statements have confirmed these claims.
The same source also states that a new episode intensified these disagreements on the eve of the first match against France. Kalidou Koulibaly, who was returning from physical issues at the time of the gathering, did not provide full assurances about his fitness. In this context, Sadio Mané felt it was better not to take risks with the Lions’ captain. The Senegalese striker then suggested that Malang Sarr be included to strengthen the defense. This suggestion was reportedly poorly received by Koulibaly, according to the French media.
🚨 CONFIRMED
Foot Mercato finally reports the disagreement between Mané and Koulibaly over Malang Sarr… which OCG FOOT told you about 48 hours ago 👀
Did it take a French media outlet to make it true? We’re used to it 😂
Subscribe to @ocgfoot, we’re always ahead 🔥#OCG… pic.twitter.com/w49D5eJwb3— OCG Foot (@ocgfoot) July 5, 2026
Since this episode, the relationship between the two key figures of the Senegalese team has reportedly cooled, Foot Mercato claims. However, none of the individuals involved have publicly responded to these revelations. In the absence of official confirmation, this information should be taken with caution. Nevertheless, it adds to the many questions surrounding Senegal’s preparation and group management during the World Cup. After a disappointing elimination, the FSF and the coaching staff now have to address the criticisms and try to restore a calm atmosphere before the next international fixtures.
