World Cup 2026: Idrissa Gueye defends senior players amid criticism after Senegal’s elimination

Senegal captain Idrissa Gueye has moved to defend the team’s experienced players following their dramatic 3-2 defeat to Belgium, which sent the Teranga Lions out of the World Cup in the Round of 32.

The African side appeared in control after racing into a 2-0 lead, but Belgium mounted a spirited comeback to overturn the deficit and secure qualification, leaving Senegal to reflect on a missed opportunity on the global stage.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Gueye pushed back strongly against questions over whether the team’s senior figures should shoulder responsibility for the collapse.

“Do you want to see the experienced players leave?” he said, responding to scrutiny over the squad’s leadership group. “I don’t understand these questions, since the beginning of the tournament.”

He stressed that the role of senior players is often misunderstood, insisting their responsibility is primarily to support the coaching structure rather than dictate performance on the pitch.

“It’s the same in all teams, club or international, around the world, the experienced players are there to receive the messages from the coach and pass them around the group,” he said. “They only do what they are supposed to do. We don’t do anything differently from the other teams.”

The defeat is expected to intensify pressure on head coach Pape Thiaw, with questions already being raised over his future following Senegal’s underwhelming campaign at the tournament.

Despite high expectations heading into the competition, the early exit marks a significant setback for a squad widely regarded as one of Africa’s strongest.