🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Norway coach Staale Solbakken criticizes general 'hypocrisy' surrounding 2026 World Cup
via SeneNews4 min read
Norway's national team coach, Staale Solbakken, has denounced a general "hypocrisy" surrounding the 2026 World Cup, following an incident involving an Iraqi player upon his arrival in the United States. Solbakken's remarks came during a press conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Norway has established its base camp. He was asked about Aymen Hussein, a star striker for Iraq, who was reportedly detained for seven hours by US customs and border police agents at Chicago airport. Solbakken stated, "We all agree that it's unnecessary, that many things could be done differently, but we are all hypocrites." He added, "But a World Cup is organized here and we are here to play football." When pressed on what he meant by "many things" that could have been different, he replied, "everything, from the fact that the host country is at war with another nation to difficulties like the one we just discussed." Norway, participating in its first World Cup since 1998, is scheduled to play Iraq on June 16, Senegal on June 22, and France on June 26.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Millions of fans worldwide will follow the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup. In Senegal, those without a television or who wish to experience the event differently can rely on several digital solutions. SeneNews is deploying a special setup for the opening match, offering two complementary formats: a live written commentary accessible in real-time on the SeneNews website, providing minute-by-minute updates, statistics, and key actions; and a live video commentary broadcast on the SeneNews TV YouTube channel, featuring analyses, reactions, and insights throughout the match. This setup has been used for several Lions matches and will be reinstated for the 2026 World Cup. For sub-Saharan Africa, official broadcasters, notably New World TV, hold the main broadcasting rights, covering the entire competition on the continent. Subscribers can follow matches via television channels and through mobile applications and streaming services offered by these operators. New World TV has become a major player in sports broadcasting in French-speaking Africa, allowing fans to watch matches on smartphones, tablets, or computers via its official application, available on Android and iOS. In Senegal, RTS is expected to broadcast several matches, including the most anticipated ones, with access also available through its official digital platforms. Beyond traditional broadcasters, YouTube is playing an increasing role in the 2026 World Cup ecosystem, hosting official content, analyses, summaries, an
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Pape Gueye's absence from the friendly match between Senegal and Saudi Arabia was not due to a serious injury. According to DSports, the Lions midfielder was rested as a precautionary measure after experiencing slight physical discomfort. The Senegalese medical and technical staff opted not to take any risks during this preparation phase, just days before an important upcoming fixture. The aim was to allow the player to recover optimally and prevent any aggravation. This prudent management of players is prioritized during this period of build-up, especially for key players expected to play significant roles in upcoming matches. The priority remains to have a full squad in peak condition. Pape Gueye is expected to be fit for the next match against France. His absence against Saudi Arabia was therefore a preventive choice rather than a genuine concern about his physical condition. This is a reassuring prospect for coach Pape Thiaw, who relies on the midfielder's experience and contribution to the Senegalese midfield. Barring any unfavorable developments, Pape Gueye is expected to rejoin the squad and contend for a place in the match against France. As this highly anticipated encounter approaches, the technical staff continues its meticulous management of workloads to preserve the physical integrity of its players and approach upcoming challenges in the best possible condition.