FIFA could ban Senegal from playing the World Cup 2026 after walking off the pitch during the AFCON final

 It wasn't long after the Senegalese players celebrated lifting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy in the heart of the Moroccan capital, Rabat, that the specter of severe sanctions began to loom. Behind the triumphant celebrations, the final match witnessed events described as the "most chaotic" in the history of the continental tournament, after the Senegalese team stormed off the pitch in protest against a refereeing decision. This action did not go unnoticed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who attended the match and expressed his outrage, hinting that "football cannot tolerate such scenes."

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a shocking disciplinary decision on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, suspending Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw for his conduct during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. CAF deemed Thiaw's attempt to remove his players from the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco in the eighth minute of stoppage time to be "unacceptable behavior" and a serious violation of disciplinary regulations.

Details of the incident and sequence of events

The crisis began in the final minutes of regulation time when the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco, sparking outrage among the Senegalese players who considered it an incorrect decision. Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch and head to the dressing room, an unprecedented scene in the history of the continental finals. The stoppage lasted 15 minutes amidst high tension before the players returned thanks to the intervention of team captain Sadio Mane, who refused to comply with the order and persuaded his teammates to come back.

Despite Ibrahim Diaz's missed penalty, Senegal snatched victory with a goal from Pape Gueye in the first period of extra time, securing their second title in history. However, this triumph did not exempt the team and coach from disciplinary action.

CAF Decision: Provisional Suspension with Possible Extension

The CAF Disciplinary Committee deemed Thiaw's actions a "serious violation of the rules of conduct and sporting discipline" and issued a provisional suspension pending further investigation to determine the final length of the penalty. Reports indicate that the punishment could extend to banning Thiaw from attending matches at the 2026 World Cup, or even harsher penalties if CAF considers the withdrawal an attempt to disrupt the match.

Infantino's Stance: Statements Going Beyond "Reprimand"

In a strongly worded statement published on his official accounts, Gianni Infantino said: "Leaving the field in this manner is completely unacceptable and has no connection whatsoever to the values ​​of the game." Infantino did not stop at condemnation; he called on the disciplinary bodies of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take "appropriate and deterrent measures."

What worries the Senegalese side is that Infantino linked this behavior to "the very essence of football," which opens the door for FIFA to intervene directly if the continental sanctions are deemed insufficient, especially since Senegal is set to participate in the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in just a few months.

Potential Sanctions: Will the Impact Extend to the World Cup?

Legal regulations and expert predictions point to several possible sanctions scenarios, ranging from financial penalties to technical suspensions:

1. Suspension of the coaching staff: Coach Pape Thiaw faces the risk of a lengthy suspension that could include World Cup matches, as he is considered the primary instigator of the withdrawal.
2. Heavy fines: The Senegalese Football Federation is expected to face fines of up to €100,000 due to the behavior of the team and the fans who clashed with security.
3. Ban on fans: Senegal may be forced to play its upcoming official matches (including World Cup qualifiers) behind closed doors.
4. The specter of exclusion from the World Cup: If investigations prove that the withdrawal was a "serious breach of sportsmanship and international regulations," FIFA has the power to suspend the national team's participation in tournaments it organizes. Although some consider this option unlikely, Infantino's tone has brought this possibility back into the legal discussion.

Senegal's apology: Is it enough to contain the crisis?

In an attempt to calm the situation, the Senegalese coach held a press conference after the match to formally apologize, saying: "I made a mistake in a moment of anger, and I apologize to the football family." This apology may be taken into consideration to mitigate the penalty, but it does not negate the violation, which was documented on live broadcast in front of millions of viewers.

The Moroccan position and legal escalation

For its part, the Moroccan Football Federation announced that it has officially escalated the matter to CAF and FIFA, considering that the temporary withdrawal affected its players' concentration and led to the missed penalty kick. This escalation increases the pressure on the judicial committees to reach a "fair" decision that ensures such incidents are not repeated in major tournaments. 

The world is watching the "decisive decision." 

Senegal will begin its 2026 World Cup campaign against France next June. Until then, the Senegalese sporting community will hold its breath awaiting the Disciplinary Committee's decision. What happened in Rabat is no longer just a football match that ended with a champion being crowned; it has become a legal case that will determine how rigorous FIFA will be in protecting the "sanctity of the stadiums" from the specter of withdrawals and unauthorized protests.