Senegal’s dramatic Africa Cup of Nations triumph has sparked intense debate across the continent, raising a pressing question among supporters.
Could the controversy that engulfed the AFCON 2025 final, coupled with wider political developments, place the Teranga Lions’ place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in doubt?
Travel bans and FIFA’s stance
The concerns have been amplified by reports surrounding US travel restrictions announced under former president Donald Trump, which list Senegal among several affected nations.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, questions quickly followed over whether such measures could impact Senegal’s participation.
However, reports indicate FIFA has already drawn a clear line. While certain restrictions may limit entry for fans, they do not apply to players, coaching staff or official delegations involved in the tournament.
As a result, Senegal’s qualification status remains untouched. Additional reports about temporary suspensions in immigration visa processing for several countries have also been clarified as unrelated to World Cup travel arrangements.
AFCON final under disciplinary review
The spotlight has also remained firmly on the chaotic closing stages of the AFCON final in Rabat, where Senegal edged Morocco 1-0 to lift the continental title. Tensions flared when head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco.
The Senegalese players stayed off the field for nearly 18 minutes before captain Sadio Mane convinced them to return. Morocco failed to convert the penalty, with Edouard Mendy making the save, before Pape Gueye struck the winning goal in extra time. Despite Senegal’s victory, the incident triggered widespread debate over potential sanctions.
CAF regulations state that a team may forfeit a match if it refuses to continue without the referee’s permission. Yet the absence of a clear precedent has left room for speculation, including extreme theories about possible punishment.
The final answer
CAF’s disciplinary committee is currently reviewing reports from match officials and security personnel, with independent members overseeing the process to avoid conflicts of interest. Crucially, even if sanctions are imposed, they would fall under CAF’s jurisdiction only.
The answer, therefore, is clear. Despite the AFCON final chaos and surrounding political noise, Senegal’s place at the 2026 World Cup is not under threat. The African champions will remain on course to compete on the global stage.
