馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Senegal's Lions to face Norway in crucial World Cup 2026 group stage match
via SeneNews3 min read
The Senegalese national football team, known as the Lions, is set to play Norway in a critical group stage match during the 2026 World Cup. This fixture is part of the second round of group stage matches scheduled for Monday. The match between Norway and Senegal in Group I will kick off at 2:00 AM Paris time, GMT+2 on the night of Monday to Tuesday. Other matches on Monday include France against Iraq in Group I at 11:00 PM, and Argentina versus Austria at 7:00 PM, followed by Jordan against Algeria at 5:00 AM night of Monday to Tuesday in Group J.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Pape Thiaw, coach of the Lions, has received a salary revaluation, positioning him among the highest-paid coaches in Africa. This adjustment comes just days before a crucial match against Norway and is expected to influence the team's dynamic as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. The revaluation follows a period of tension regarding his contract finalization, during which Thiaw reportedly considered not traveling with the team to the United States. Mediation, attributed to the intervention of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, helped stabilize the situation. This development highlights a trend where African federations are increasing investments to strengthen their technical staff. The 2026 ranking of Africa's highest-paid coaches places Thiaw, earning approximately 76,000 euros per month, at number 5. The top earners include Vladimir Petkovi膰 around 135,000 euros, Herv茅 Renard between 120,000 and 150,000 euros, and Emerse Fa茅 and Hugo Broos both around 75,000 euros.
National coach Pape Thiaw will hold a press conference this Sunday at 6:30 PM GMT, the day before Senegal's match against Norway. The game is part of the second round of Group I in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The media briefing will take place at MetLife Stadium, which will also host the match scheduled for Monday night into Tuesday. Thiaw is expected to discuss his team's preparation, the squad's condition, and the stakes of this crucial second outing in the competition. The Lions of Teranga approach this fixture after an inaugural 3-1 defeat to France, making another loss potentially detrimental to their qualification chances. Norway, conversely, enters the match with confidence following a convincing 4-1 victory against Iraq on the first day, placing them in a favorable position. This encounter is anticipated to be decisive for both teams in their pursuit of qualification for the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Must ReadSenegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye departed Dakar on Sunday for an official visit to Germany, scheduled from June 21 to 23. According to the Presidency of the Republic, this trip aims to reinforce cooperation between Senegal and Germany, which is considered a major partner in several strategic sectors. Discussions will focus on economic cooperation, investments, energy transition, and technology transfer. The visit is also expected to explore new partnership opportunities between the two nations. The Presidency emphasized that this trip aligns with the head of state's objective to mobilize more resources and partnerships for Senegal's economic development. This initiative is consistent with the goals of Vision Senegal 2050, which seeks to enhance the country's economic sovereignty and support sustainable and inclusive growth.