Senegal’s decision to schedule its upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Togo for a late evening kickoff has triggered frustration among fans, with concerns over transportation and stadium attendance taking center stage.
Supporters express frustration over late kickoff
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) recently confirmed the dates and venues for the national team’s next two qualifiers—an away fixture against Sudan and a home match against Togo.
While both games are crucial for Senegal’s campaign, it is the timing of the Togo match that has drawn criticism.
Set to take place at 9 p.m. local time at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, the scheduling has sparked widespread discontent among fans.
The stadium, located approximately 35 kilometers from Dakar, poses logistical challenges, particularly in terms of post-match transportation.
With the game expected to conclude around 11 p.m., supporters fear heavy traffic congestion on the main roads leading back to the capital, especially on a weekday when many will have work commitments the following morning.
FSF justifies decision amid Ramadan considerations
Responding to the backlash, FSF executive committee member Ousmane Thiane Sarr defended the decision, citing the need to accommodate players observing Ramadan.
The priority is to preserve the physical integrity of the players.
By scheduling the match at this hour, we allow them to break their fast before kickoff, ensuring they are in the best condition to deliver a strong performance,” he explained in an interview with Wiwsport.
While acknowledging the fans’ concerns, Sarr suggested that the scheduling was made with the squad’s best interests in mind.
Our main goal is to secure a positive result, and this timing supports that objective,” he added.
Concerns over stadium attendance and financial implications
Beyond the transport challenges, there are fears that the late timing could further impact attendance at the 50,000-seat stadium.
Sarr admitted that filling the venue has been a persistent issue since Senegal’s high-profile World Cup playoff against Egypt in 2022.
It has been a long time since we had a packed stadium for a national team match.
Coupe du monde 2026 (Q) : le Sénégal annonce la date du choc contre le Soudan #football https://t.co/8bUivbV1Jj pic.twitter.com/0OtUNMBy0w
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) March 2, 2025
Even before this scheduling issue, we were already playing at a financial loss,” he stated, referencing the significant costs associated with hosting games at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, which reportedly amount to 35 million FCFA (approximately €53,357) per match.
Balancing logistics and performance
While the FSF’s decision is rooted in optimizing player performance during Ramadan, the logistical difficulties for fans remain a pressing concern.
As the match approaches, the federation may need to explore measures to facilitate smoother transportation or risk further discontent among supporters.
Ultimately, Senegal will be hoping that their performance on the pitch outweighs the controversy surrounding the scheduling.
