A Senegalese media outlet revealed that the government canceled the private aircraft scheduled to return the national team from the United States after their 2026 World Cup campaign, causing major confusion for the “Lions of Teranga.”

According to Senegal’s Dsports, players and staff went to the airport at the appointed time but waited for hours without a flight being provided, eventually returning to their hotel. A source told the outlet: “The players went to the airport, but after hours of waiting there was no flight available, so they finally went back to the hotel.” Some players reportedly traveled individually to their destinations, while others and staff remained at the hotel awaiting alternative arrangements.

The report noted that the decision to cancel the private plane came from government authorities, a departure from the approach taken during the Africa Cup of Nations, when the state organized all logistical aspects of the team’s return.

The incident also exposed growing tensions between the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation over administrative and contractual disputes. Both sides plan to prepare separate reports on the team’s World Cup participation to submit to the presidency and prime minister, amid ongoing fallout from the early elimination.

Senegal exited the World Cup in the Round of 32 after a 3-2 defeat to Belgium, a disappointing result for fans of the “Lions of Teranga.”