🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
FIFA appoints Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio for Senegal vs. Norway World Cup match
via SeneNews4 min read
FIFA has designated Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio to officiate the World Cup 2026 match between Senegal and Norway. The game is scheduled for June 22 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with kick-off at 8:00 PM local time 00:00 GMT. Sampaio will be assisted by fellow Brazilians Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia, with New Zealander Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh as the fourth official and Isaac Trevis as the reserve assistant referee. Wilton Sampaio, 44, has been a FIFA referee since 2013 and has officiated major international matches, including the opening game of this World Cup between Mexico and South Africa. This match is crucial for Senegal, known as the Lions of Teranga, who are seeking a victory to revive their qualification chances after a 3-1 defeat to France. Norway enters the match with momentum, having secured a 4-1 win against Iraq.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadGeneral Armando da Costa Marna, Director General of Guinea-Bissau's General Intelligence Service, passed away on Thursday due to a "short illness," the Interior Ministry announced. General Marna, a former National Guard commander, was appointed to his strategic intelligence and security coordination role in 2023 by former President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. He became a key figure in the military group that overthrew Embalo in a November 2025 coup. A member of the ruling junta's High Military Command stated that Marna's death leaves a significant void in a country experiencing fragile stability since the 2025 coup. Guinea-Bissau has been led by the military since November 26, the day before the provisional results of the presidential and legislative elections were expected, with the electoral process suspended. The West African nation, located between Senegal and Guinea, has experienced five coups and numerous attempted coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974.
Moustapha Njekk Sarré, vice-president of Pastef, has publicly defended Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko against criticism regarding Senegal's public debt. Sarré addressed the controversy surrounding Sonko's statements on "hidden debt," accusing some media outlets of biased reporting and creating confusion. He clarified that state debt is regulated by finance laws approved by the National Assembly, suggesting that any debt contracted outside these authorized frameworks could be considered hidden. Sarré also referred to the findings of financial audits by the Inspectorate General of Finance and the Court of Auditors. He noted that discrepancies between the debt level announced at the end of former President Macky Sall's administration and the figures revealed by control bodies raise legitimate questions. Citing statements from Mamadou Faye, former president of the Court of Auditors, Sarré argued there is no contradiction between the institution's findings and the use of the term "hidden debt" in public discourse, as the Court's mission was to establish the debt level, not to legally or politically qualify its nature. Sarré also defended Sonko's remarks during an interview with France 24, stating they were misinterpreted, and dismissed accusations of a policy reversal. He criticized several media outlets for allegedly attempting to damage Sonko's image, asserting that past attacks have only increased his popularity. Sarré concluded by urging Sonko's opponents to change their politic
Must ReadOusmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly, has issued a strong signal to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding the sensitive issue of constitutional revision. Following a meeting of the Conference of Presidents on Friday, June 19, the National Assembly set its work schedule, with the constitutional amendment bill drawing significant attention. Sonko stated that he has not yet received a response from the head of state concerning the opinion transmitted as part of the procedure. Consequently, the former Prime Minister has set Monday, June 22, as the deadline for a response. After this date, regardless of the Executive's position, the Bureau of the National Assembly will be convened to continue the legislative procedure. The President of the National Assembly expressed his desire for the bill to be examined before the end of the current ordinary session. In addition to the constitutional matter, the National Assembly is also awaiting two major texts already approved by the Council of Ministers: the draft Amending Finance Law and the Budget Orientation Debate Document.