Senegal team stranded after World Cup exit due to flight booking negligence

Senegal's national soccer team has encountered further setbacks following their elimination from the 2026 World Cup, with a portion of their delegation left stranded without confirmed flights back to Dakar.

According to RTS information, picked up by Senegalese media, no reservation was registered under the Senegalese Football Federation's name with the consulted airlines for the team's return. This oversight left the travel plans in suspense.

The situation escalated early in the morning when players and team members went to the airport, waited for several hours, and ultimately had to return to their hotel without an available plane. This occurred after a difficult 3-2 loss to Belgium, where Senegal held a 2-0 lead until the final minutes before Belgium mounted a comeback, eliminating Senegal from the World Cup.

Reports from DSports suggest the episode also exposed tensions between the Federation and the Ministry of Sports.