Senegal's win in the 2025 AFCON caused lots of different reactions across the football community. Most of the discussion has been regarding the national team walking off the pitch before a Morocco penalty late in the match.
Many believe that the Senegal team's actions during the final were disrespectful and that the team should face punishment.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw already faced a suspension given by CAF, the African Football Federation. It is yet to be revealed for how many matches Thiaw will be banned for.
New reports suggest that the Senegal team could face punishment as a whole after walking off the pitch in protest of a referee's decision.
Reports suggest that FIFA could decide to punish the Senegal team, a punishment that could hurt their place in the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA to Punish Senegal?
According to Mundo Deportivo, FIFA could ban Senegal from playing the World Cup after walking off the pitch during the AFCON final. The report does not confirm that FIFA will take this action, but the rumors continue to grow.
A potential ban for Senegal from playing in the 2026 World Cup could be decided as FIFA thinks that both clubs and countries will replicate what Senegal did against Morocco, by leaving the pitch when feeling disadvantaged.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino already voiced his opinion on Senegal walking off the pitch in the AFCON Final. Infantino said, "It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right. We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk."
Senegal is in Group I with France, Norway, and the winning team from the FIFA Play-Off Tournament 2.