Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Says World Cup 2026 Qualification Still Possible After Two Losses
Senegal’s hopes of advancing to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 are hanging by a thread after suffering defeats to France and Norway in their opening group matches. The Teranga Lions lost 3‑1 to France and then fell 3‑2 to Norway, leaving them with a precarious position in the standings.
Focus on the Final Group Game
Head coach Pape Thiaw refused to write off his side’s chances, stressing that the team still has one match left — against Iraq — and that victory could be enough to progress as one of the best third‑placed teams.
“We’ve got one match to go, and we need to focus on this last game, try to get three points and then cross our fingers,” Thiaw said after the Norway defeat. He added that it is too early to declare failure, noting that the squad is still alive in the competition.
Historical Context and Outlook
The back‑to‑back losses mark an unwanted milestone for Senegal, as it is the first time in their World Cup history that they have begun a campaign with two defeats. Despite this, Thiaw believes there is still everything to play for and that reaching the knockout phase would give his players a fresh platform to challenge the tournament’s bigger nations.
“Once you’re in the next round, then it’s another tournament that starts,” he remarked, urging his players to stay focused on the upcoming clash with Iraq and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour.
About the Author
