Senegal’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign suffered a second consecutive defeat, losing to Norway at MetLife Stadium. The loss exposed significant weaknesses within the national team, with several key players failing to perform when relied upon by coach Pape Thiaw. Defensive errors, particularly from captain Kalidou Koulibaly, directly led to both Norwegian goals, highlighting a lack of leadership and composure. Midfielder Idrissa Gueye also contributed to the defeat with a costly turnover in midfield. The team appeared fractured, with a perceived dilution of responsibility among experienced players like Koulibaly, Gueye, and Sadio Mané. These individual errors and a lack of overall impact from key figures have cast doubt on Senegal’s ability to advance in the qualifying tournament.