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Xavier Barret criticizes Kalidou Koulibaly's performance in World Cup
via SeneNews1 min read
Kalidou Koulibaly, captain of the Senegal national team, is facing a challenging start to the 2026 World Cup, with his involvement in several goals conceded drawing criticism. Xavier Barret, a consultant for Radio Foot Internationale and France 24, expressed his disappointment following Senegal's 3-2 loss to Norway. Barret stated that Koulibaly's performance has been "quite mediocre" since the beginning of the tournament, including a difficult match against France, which led coach Pape Thiaw to substitute him despite his captaincy. Barret attributes Koulibaly's struggles to a complicated season in Saudi Arabia and physical issues that have prevented him from reaching his best form. He also suggested that the Senegalese coach should have addressed the situation earlier. Despite the loss to Norway, Senegal still has a chance to advance in the competition, needing a significant victory against Iraq in their final group match to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
FIFA has officially appointed English referee Anthony Taylor to officiate the World Cup 2026 group stage match between Senegal and Iraq. The game, which is the third and final matchday for Group I, will take place on Friday at Toronto Stadium in Canada. Taylor, an experienced referee in the Premier League and Champions League, will be assisted by his compatriots Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. This match is crucial for Senegal, coached by Pape Thiaw, as they need a victory to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the round of sixteen. Beyond winning against Iraq, Senegal will also need to monitor results from other groups and the rankings of the best third-placed teams, which could determine the final qualifying spots for the knockout phase.
Hervé Penot, a journalist for L'Équipe, analyzed Senegal's 3-2 loss to Norway in the second group stage match of the 2026 World Cup. Penot stated that the score was flattering for Senegal, as it did not reflect the team's significant difficulties during the game. With two losses in two matches and six goals conceded, the Lions are facing a challenging start to the competition. Penot suggested that changes to the squad are necessary, especially considering the team's defensive struggles against France and Norway. He advised coach Pape Thiaw to rely more on younger players to revitalize the team and improve their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. Penot specifically mentioned that Kalidou Koulibaly, despite being a superb player, had not played for two months, which impacted his performance. Senegal still has a chance to qualify for the round of 16, but they must win their final group match against Iraq and hope for favorable results in other games to be among the best third-placed teams.
Journalist Mor Mbaye Cissé of Seneweb was summoned for questioning by the Urban Security department in Dakar following the public prosecutor's self-referral. This action comes after Seneweb published an exclusive article concerning the arrest of the son of a Financial Judicial Pool PJF magistrate in connection with a 100 million FCFA theft. The article reported that the young man, identified as M. L. Sy, was arrested with three others in possession of 25 million FCFA. Initially, M. L. Sy claimed to have stolen the money from his father's wardrobe. However, investigations revealed the money was part of a 100 million FCFA organized theft from an individual named A. Ndiaye, with A. Sarr identified as the primary suspect who stole a bag containing the funds from a vehicle. Mor Mbaye Cissé is being questioned for reporting the initial statement made by the young man, which was later contradicted by the investigation. The summons has sparked debate on social media regarding press freedom and the dissemination of unverified information.