Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has said the team has put past Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) controversies behind them as they prepare for their opening match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 against France.
Thiaw stressed that the squad is fully focused on the tournament ahead, insisting that issues surrounding their AFCON campaign earlier in the year will not affect their performance on football’s biggest stage.
According to the coach, the World Cup represents a fresh start for the team, with players motivated to concentrate on delivering strong performances rather than revisiting past disappointments.
Senegal head into the high-profile Group stage encounter against defending world champions France with confidence, despite the weight of history between both nations in major competitions.
The West African side famously stunned France at the 2002 World Cup, and the fixture has since grown into one of the most talked-about matchups involving African teams on the global stage.
Thiaw noted that the team has worked hard in preparation and is determined to show growth, discipline and unity as they begin their World Cup journey.
Players in the squad are also said to be fully focused, with senior stars expected to lead the team both on and off the pitch as they aim for a strong start in the competition.
France, however, will also enter the match under pressure, with the European giants looking to begin their title defence on a winning note against a physically strong and well-organised Senegal side.
Football analysts believe the encounter could be one of the standout group-stage fixtures, given the history, talent on both sides, and the stakes involved in an opening match.
As kickoff approaches, Senegal’s message remains clear: the AFCON chapter is closed, and all attention is now on making an impact at the World Cup.