Unpaid bonuses and food issues – what’s going on inside Senegal camp?published at 19:30 BST
Senegal v Iraq (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesSenegal arrived at their fourth World Cup with ambitions of going further than in 2002, when they marked their tournament debut by reaching the quarter-finals.
Yet they are without a point after two games and in grave danger of exiting the competition at the first hurdle. They must beat Iraq tonight to have any chance of making the knockout stage.
Senegal’s start to the World Cup has been overshadowed by a series of issues inside the camp.
Disputes over bonuses and payments, a late change of chef and complaints over food have dominated the build-up to the opening games.
And a row over manager Pape Thiaw’s contract has also led to concerns that off-pitch matters could affect the team on the field.
Players and staff are staying at the four-star Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in contrast to the five-star Fairmont Palace in Tangier, the luxury venue used during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. That, however, is not a major issue, especially as the hotel is located close to Senegal’s training base at Rutgers University.
There has been speculation about the quality of the food and claims it has not met the players’ expectations.
