Senegal's World Cup camp in chaos: unpaid bonuses, missing chef and a coach without contract before Norway test

The Senegal national team's World Cup opener, a 3-1 loss to France, is only the most visible problem confronting the Lions of Teranga. Off the pitch, a cascade of financial, logistical and contractual failures has left the squad frustrated and underprepared as they head into a decisive Group-stage match against Norway.

Financial grievances

Player bonuses for winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and for World Cup qualification have still not been paid, according to Sport News Africa, despite the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) having already received the prize money from the continental championship and the qualifying bonuses.

“The situation is seriously agitating a dressing room that was no longer used to dealing with this.”

The absence of the team's personal chef has forced some players to order meals from outside to maintain a proper diet, while some federation officials are said to have flown family members to the United States at FSF expense, adding to the financial strain.

Spartan living conditions

The delegation's base camp at Rutgers University in New Jersey has been widely criticised internally as austere, a sharp contrast to the resources provided during the last Cup of Nations in Morocco. Accommodation is described as inadequate for top-level athletes, and the in-house hotel restaurant has proved so disappointing that players regularly turn to food-delivery apps. The chef who had previously managed the team's nutrition was prevented from travelling, leaving the squad without the tailored meals they expected at the world's biggest sporting event.

Coach in limbo

Head coach Pape Thiaw is directing the team without a valid contract. His last deal has expired, and he has not been paid for five months. The Senegalese president personally intervened, offering assurances about Thiaw's future, but no new contract has been signed and no arrears have been cleared. Thiaw is effectively leading a World Cup campaign with no legal basis and no certainty about his own employment.

Norway showdown

Senegal face Norway on the night of 22-23 June in what is effectively a must-win fixture to keep their round-of-16 hopes alive. After the opening defeat and the turmoil behind the scenes, the team must find a way to block out the off-field chaos and deliver a performance that meets the expectations built by their strong recent tournament record.