Arriving in the United States on Friday, June 5, several days after the rest of the Senegalese delegation due to his participation in the Conference League final with Rayo Vallecano, Pathé Ciss faced particularly strict security checks upon his arrival on American soil.
The midfielder for the Lions of Teranga underwent a thorough inspection by customs officials at the airport. According to available information, the Senegalese international was subjected to a meticulous examination of his personal belongings, amid heightened security measures by American authorities in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
The scene, captured by a member of the Senegalese delegation present on-site and widely shared in media circles, surprised several witnesses. It showed agents conducting a detailed check of the player’s belongings, without exception. Even everyday items, like his transparent plastic shoes, were rigorously examined by the officials in charge of the inspection.
This situation astonished some members of the Senegalese group who came to welcome the player upon his arrival. The witness who filmed the sequence expressed confusion over the extent of the checks, pointing out the unusual nature of the scrutiny applied to such innocuous personal items as already visible shoes that were unlikely to conceal anything.
The Americans’ checks, I’ll talk about it in my next book. They let absolutely nothing slide, even Pathé with his plastic shoes 😂😂😂🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/0NBGp8sIGr
— Miss Coumba♥️ (@miss_sycoumba56) June 7, 2026
This type of procedure is part of a particularly strict security policy implemented by American authorities during the competition. Border checks have been intensified to ensure maximum security for teams, staff, and supporters present on the territory.
In recent weeks, several similar incidents have been reported among the various participating delegations. Some technical staff members have been temporarily held for additional checks, delaying their entry into the country. In some cases, players themselves had to wait several hours before being allowed to join their group.
Among the cited examples, an attacker from the Iraqi team, Hussein, was also reportedly held for a long time upon arrival, illustrating the level of vigilance applied by American customs officials during this international event.
Why are they searching my guy Pathé Ciss like that? https://t.co/1lGXBuOSAX
— TobyWrites (@tobyasky) June 8, 2026
In this context, Pathé Ciss’s ordeal fits into a series of enhanced checks affecting all delegations involved in the competition. While these procedures may sometimes seem excessive or surprising to those involved, they adhere to standardized security protocols applied systematically to all travelers entering the territory.
Despite this episode, the Senegalese player was able to join his team without major incident and resume training with the group. This situation nonetheless illustrates the special reception conditions established for a tournament of such magnitude, where border security remains a top priority for the organizing authorities.
