Few generations have given Senegalese football as much as Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Édouard Mendy. They ended a decade long wait for the Africa Cup of Nations title and inspired the country's rise on the global stage. But, after two defeats at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this golden generation now faces the uncomfortable possibility of seeing its legacy overshadowed by one of Senegal’s most disappointing World Cup campaigns. ALSO READ: Qualified, eliminated or waiting: The state of race to World Cup Round of 32 After successive defeat to France 3-1 and Norway 3-2, the Teranga Lions sit third in Group I with zero points. With just one match remaining against Iraq, qualification for the Round of 32 is no longer in their hands. Yet under the expanded 48-team World Cup format, Senegal are still mathematically alive. France and Norway have already collected six points each and will face one another in the final group match. That means Senegal can no longer finish among the top two teams in Group I. Instead, their only remaining route is through one of the eight places reserved for the tournament best third placed teams. To stand any chance, Senegal must first beat Iraq. But victory alone is unlikely to be enough. The Lions also need to improve their goal difference, which currently stand at minus three, while hoping that results in the other 11 groups leave several third placed teams with either fewer than three points or an inferior goal difference. Every goal against Iraq could prove decisive. ALSO READ: Ecuador and Ivory Coast seal historic places in World Cup knockout stage We are not dead Despite the difficult situation, head coach Pape Thiaw insists his players have not given up hope. It is too early to talk about failure. We are not dead, even though our position is difficult, Thiaw said after the defeat to Norway. It is the first time Senegal has found itself in this situation, but we still have one match to play. The campaign has been especially frustrating because Senegal have often shown they can compete. Against France, the Teranga Lions created several promising opportunities before Les Bleus punished defensive lapses in the second half. Following that defeat, the coach admitted his team needed to become more aggressive defensively and more clinical in front of goal. Those defensive issues resurfaced against Norway, where Erling Haaland’s side capitalised on key moments despite Senegal fighting back through a brace from Ismaïla Sarr. A campaign that began with promise The current predicament is surprising considering how Senegal reached North America. The Teranga Lions qualified unbeaten, scoring 22 goals and conceding only three while finishing top of their qualifying group with 24 points. Their consistency made them one of Africa’s strongest representatives heading into the tournament. The World Cup itself also produced a historic moment when teenager Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest African player ever to score at the tournament after finding the net against France. But individual milestones have not translated into points. One final opportunity The equation is now straightforward. Senegal must beat Iraq and do so convincingly enough to improve their goal difference. After that, they will have to wait and hope that results elsewhere allow them to finish among the eight best third placed teams.
