The Senegalese delegation has ended up staying in Seattle, contrary to initial plans that had them departing this Saturday, just after the Lions were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. The national team was supposed to return to Senegal on a special flight arranged for the occasion, but a logistical issue completely disrupted the original schedule. The players, staff, and delegation members showed up at the airport hoping to head to Dakar, only to find out that the situation did not allow for an immediate departure.
According to an airport source cited by RTS correspondent Ibrahima Mboup, no reservations had been made in the name of the Senegalese team. This administrative anomaly is said to be the reason for the delay in organizing the return flight. The relevant authorities were reportedly unable to confirm the availability of a dedicated aircraft in the expected timeframe, which contributed to the prolonged wait for the delegation at the airport.
After several hours spent at the airport with no significant developments, the players were finally forced to leave the premises. With no flights available at that moment to ensure their return, the delegation went back to their hotel in Seattle, waiting for a new travel schedule. This situation comes just forty-eight hours after the Lions were eliminated from the competition, when their return home was initially considered imminent.
This information was confirmed by journalist Baba Aïdara, who described the situation like this: “2 AM in New York, 6 AM in Dakar: the Lions did not take their flight and are currently on their way to the hotel.” The Senegalese team remains on American soil, awaiting a logistical solution to organize their return. The next few hours will be crucial to clarify the departure conditions for the delegation to Dakar.
The Senegalese delegation is stuck in Seattle after failing to depart as planned this Saturday. No special flight had been booked in the name of the national team. pic.twitter.com/T6klloSU20
— Senego.com (@senego) July 4, 2026
