Senegal’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign began with a disappointing 3-1 defeat against France in East Rutherford. National team coach Pape Thiaw expressed regret over the loss, believing Senegal had opportunities to take the lead during the first half. Despite a strong start and creating several chances, Senegal lacked efficiency in front of the goal. France capitalized on their opportunities after halftime, demonstrating greater effectiveness. Thiaw attributed the defeat to errors in possession and a collective lack of intensity in the second half, rather than physical fatigue. He also highlighted the strong performance of French midfielder Michael Olise, while emphasizing the need to improve defensive organization stemming from midfield errors.