Senegal FA faces fresh pressure after visa and travel problems

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) is facing renewed criticism after eight Under-17 players were unable to travel to France because of visa delays, while further logistical problems were reported during the senior team’s journey to Marseille.

The latest issues have added to growing frustration among supporters, just months after the federation came under scrutiny following Senegal’s 2026 World Cup campaign.

The Under-17 squad left Dakar on Wednesday, 30 September without the eight players selected by Lamine Sane. Senegal are due to face France in preparation for the Under-17 World Cup at Clairefontaine on 2 and 4 October.

All three goalkeepers named in the squad are among those who remained in Senegal. They are captain Assane Sarr, Daouda Alassane Ba of Generation Foot and Mamadou Diabate Gueye of Diambars.

The five affected outfield players are Cheikh Thior, Emile Niaga Sadio, Ibrahima Dione “Vampire”, Mahamet Ba and Khalifa Ababacar Seck.

According to Dsports, efforts are continuing to secure the necessary visas and allow the players to join their team-mates. However, the uncertainty could force Sane and his staff to urgently call up players based in France, potentially from amateur structures, to complete the squad.

With the Under-17 World Cup only a few weeks away, the disruption has significantly complicated Senegal’s preparations.

The senior team has also reportedly encountered difficulties. 13football said some members of the delegation’s logistics team, medical staff and security arrangements experienced visa problems during the journey to France.

A further incident was reported during a stopover in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, where players and staff were allegedly required to handle their own luggage.

Senegal are scheduled to travel on to Marseille, where they will play Comoros on 4 October.

Individually, the incidents could be viewed as routine travel disruptions. Their timing and accumulation, however, have intensified questions about the FSF’s organisation, particularly after the logistical criticism that followed the most recent World Cup.

The difficulties prompted fresh reaction on Senegalese social media. “Have we really learned the lessons from the last World Cup?” 13football asked while highlighting the problems faced by the delegation.

The FSF was already under considerable pressure after the Lions’ disappointing World Cup campaign. The latest episodes have therefore created further unease at a particularly difficult moment for the federation.

Senegal continue to have a strong pool of players and competitive national teams across several age groups. Seeing their preparations affected by administrative and logistical issues has increased the frustration surrounding the situation.

The contrast between the Under-17 side travelling without eight players for the matches at Clairefontaine and the reported problems affecting the senior team has left the FSF facing an unwelcome start to the international period.