The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has formally requested security assurances ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Sudan, scheduled to take place at Benina Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.
Concerns over safety have prompted the FSF to demand firm guarantees, following past incidents that raised questions about Libya’s suitability as a neutral venue.
In an official letter addressed to FIFA, the FSF cited security breaches that affected previous matches involving Nigeria and Benin in Libya.
The federation insists that, without adequate safety measures, the match should be relocated to a more secure location.
Safety First Amid High Stakes
With World Cup qualification carrying immense financial and sporting significance for African nations, the FSF emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of its players and staff.
The federation expressed particular concern about hosting the match in Benghazi, a city that has witnessed security challenges in recent years.
“The safety of our delegation is non-negotiable,” the FSF stated in its communication to FIFA. “Given the incidents that other African teams have faced in Libya, we cannot proceed without clear security guarantees.”
The FSF also raised issues related to sporting fairness, requesting that the match be played on March 21 instead of the originally scheduled March 22.
According to the Senegalese federation, the current date would create an imbalance in recovery time between competing teams, potentially affecting the integrity of the competition.
CAF and FIFA Share Security Concerns
Senegal’s concerns are not isolated. Both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA have previously flagged Libya as a high-risk location due to its history of instability.
CAF has even sanctioned the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) in the past for failing to meet security standards during continental competitions.
Incidents during matches involving Nigeria and Benin in Libya have reinforced these concerns. The FSF pointed to these episodes in its appeal to FIFA, stressing that similar risks should not be overlooked in upcoming fixtures.
FIFA, which oversees the scheduling of the World Cup qualifiers, has yet to publicly respond to Senegal’s request.
However, given the heightened focus on security in international football, the governing body is expected to review the matter carefully.
A Tense Build-Up to a Crucial Match
The stakes could not be higher for Senegal, who see the 2026 World Cup as a key objective following their strong performances in recent years.
The African qualifiers, which run from November 2023 to November 2025, will culminate in a playoff tournament to determine the continent’s final representatives at the expanded 48-team World Cup.
For now, the FSF awaits FIFA’s decision on whether the match will proceed in Benghazi or be moved to a neutral and safer venue. Senegal remains firm in its stance: security comes first.
If FIFA upholds the current arrangement, all eyes will be on the measures implemented to safeguard the teams involved.
Until then, uncertainty surrounds a fixture that could play a pivotal role in Senegal’s road to the 2026 World Cup.
