Senegal is determined to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup despite what officials call the “regrettable” absence of fans denied US visas.
The secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, Abdoulaye Sow, told AFP that US immigration restrictions have prevented many Senegalese and African supporters from traveling to follow the team. Senegal plays its first two group matches in the United States, opening against France in New Jersey on June 16 before facing Norway on June 22.
“It is true that this World Cup is particularly difficult, but every country is a sovereign power and has its own rules,” Sow said at the team’s base south of Manhattan. “The United States has its own laws and regulations, and these laws mean that, unlike European countries, we are not able to benefit from the support of many Senegalese people and many African people who wanted to come.”
This is Senegal’s fourth World Cup appearance, but the first time the team will compete without an official fan group funded by the government. The Lions of Teranga, ranked 16th in the world and led by Sadio Mane, are among 10 African nations at the expanded tournament.
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“It is obvious that the African countries are impacted,” Sow said. “Senegal have been used to having the 12th man behind them. We will be denied that. But there are Senegalese people and African people here. And in any case the match will be won on the pitch. And the supporters will not be on the pitch.”
The team also enters the tournament amid ongoing fallout from the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal won the title against Morocco but were later stripped of it after a protest over a late penalty. The case is now with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“Until we get the decision of the CAS, Senegal remains the champions of Africa,” Sow said. “We are just focused on the World Cup. For us, the AFCON is behind us. We have faith in the CAS. But that is not our priority right now.”
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