Senegal Faces Elimination After Loss to Norway in World Cup

The Senegal national football team, known as the Teranga Lions, is on the brink of elimination from the 2026 World Cup following a 3-2 defeat to Norway in their second group fixture. Despite winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against host Morocco, Senegal has struggled to translate their continental success into World Cup performance.

Historically, African champions have faced difficulties in World Cup tournaments immediately following their AFCON victories. Past winners like Nigeria in 1994 and 2014, and Senegal in 2022, have failed to progress beyond the group stage.

The only African champion to reach the quarter-finals after winning AFCON was Cameroon in 1990. Senegal must win their final group game against Iraq to have a chance of advancing as one of the best third-place teams.