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Senegal coach Pape Thiaw insisted Monday that the controversy of January’s Africa Cup of Nations final was firmly a thing of the past as his side focus on the World Cup and their opening opponents, France.
“I am not going to go back over the AFCON, that’s behind us. This is the World Cup. We have prepared well for it and we are focused on tomorrow’s match,” Thiaw said of Tuesday’s Group I clash at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
It is almost exactly five months since January’s Cup of Nations final in Rabat, in which Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time.
That was after much of the Senegal team walked off in protest at a late penalty awarded to the hosts — the players eventually came back on, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz had the spot-kick saved, and Pape Gueye went on to score the winner.
Senegal, who had been furious at a goal for them being disallowed, were able to celebrate becoming African champions for the second time.
However, they were sensationally stripped of the title two months later by the Confederation of African Football as a punishment for the walk-off.
They have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Lions of Teranga are still awaiting the outcome of that appeal.
Thiaw was an unused substitute when Senegal beat France 1-0 in their opening game at the 2002 World Cup. That was a shock of monumental proportions, but he insists a repeat performance this time would not be.
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“It would not be a surprise if we beat a France team with world-class players. France are favourites, but our team has been champions of Africa and we have qualified for a third straight World Cup,” he said.
Senegal will be led by Sadio Mane returning to a World Cup at 34 after missing the 2022 edition with injury. Skipper Kalidou Koulibaly, the central defender who was born in France, is fit after a back problem.
Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada and will miss the Black Stars’ clash against Panama.
According to BBC Sport, FIFA confirmed on Friday that the former Arsenal midfielder, now with Spanish club Villarreal, will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after Canadian authorities refused his visa application.
The development makes Partey the latest high-profile football figure affected by immigration and visa issues at the World Cup, following the controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States despite being selected by FIFA to officiate at the tournament.
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In a statement quoted by the BBC, FIFA said it had no role in immigration decisions taken by host countries.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the governing body said.
“The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Partey, 32, had been expected to play a key role for Ghana as the four-time African champions begin their World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto.
The experienced midfielder remains one of the Black Stars’ most influential players and his absence is a significant blow to coach Otto Addo’s plans for the tournament.
The visa refusal comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving the player. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.
Canadian authorities have not publicly explained the reasons behind the decision.
The case is likely to generate fresh debate around immigration policies at the expanded 48-team World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
