The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) issued an official statement on Tuesday to clarify the context of a viral social media video. The footage showed Senegal's national team players and technical staff undergoing thorough security checks on a US airport tarmac. The FSF stated the video did not capture the team's arrival in the US, but rather their boarding process for a domestic flight.
The FSF said: "Contrary to certain reports, this check did not take place upon the team's arrival in San Antonio, but rather at the time of boarding at Raleigh Airport on Sunday, 7 June 2026, before the flight's departure." The operation occurred as the team bus went directly from their Raleigh hotel to the tarmac. This logistical procedure allowed the entire delegation to complete all security and police formalities at the foot of the aircraft, bypassing usual terminal circuits.
The federation insisted the operation was conducted professionally and in full compliance with American aviation regulations. "The federation stresses that this procedure was carried out in strict respect of the airport security rules in force, with no particular incident was recorded during this operation," the FSF added. The private flight from Raleigh to San Antonio then proceeded under excellent conditions, with the entire Senegalese delegation arriving normally at their destination. The team is currently based in San Antonio putting the finishing touches on their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Lions of Teranga are scheduled to face Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Wednesday as part of their final warm-up matches. This comes as the team's recent form shows two wins and three losses in their last five outings. Their last result was a 3-2 defeat to Belgium on 1 July 2026. Senegal is making its fourth World Cup appearance after 2002, 2018 and 2022. Drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and Iraq, Aliou Cissé's men will open their campaign against France on 16 June.
In the 2026 World Cup group stage, Senegal currently sits 3rd with 3 points, from one win and two losses. Their goal tally stands at 8 scored and 6 conceded, for a +2 goal difference. The team trails group leaders France by six points. Recent form is LWLL, having lost the last two matches. The coaching staff is also managing the absences of Antoine Mendy and Habib Diarra, who are currently sidelined. Updates on the squad's availability are on our injuries page.
The Lions of Teranga aim to surpass their best performance, a quarter-final finish in 2002. The draw has placed them in a demanding group, starting with a tough opener against 2022 runners-up France. The matches against Norway and Iraq will be decisive for their qualification hopes. The team can rely on an experienced squad, but the competition statistics so far, available on stats, indicate a need for greater consistency. The final friendly test against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday precedes their official tournament debut on 16 June.
