New evidence has emerged suggesting Senegal’s national team deliberately underperformed in their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco on November 11, 2024. The match, which ended in a 4-0 victory for Morocco, secured the Atlas Lions’ place at the 2026 World Cup while eliminating Senegal from contention.
The allegations stem from an investigation by Moroccan outlet Bladna, which claims to have obtained audio recordings and documents proving a coordinated sabotage effort. According to the report, key figures within Senegalese football decided the team should not win after learning that a victory would send their rivals, Algeria, to the World Cup instead of Morocco.
The match itself followed a suspicious pattern. Morocco took an early lead with a goal from Azzedine Ounahi in the 5th minute. The situation escalated for Senegal when defender Formose Mendy received a straight red card in the 20th minute, reducing his side to ten men. Morocco capitalized, with Ounahi scoring again in the 25th minute and Amine Adli adding a third just before halftime in the 45th minute.
The second half saw little change in momentum. Morocco’s Soufiane Boufal scored the fourth and final goal in the 67th minute, sealing a dominant 4-0 win. The result confirmed Morocco’s qualification from Group E and ended Senegal’s hopes.
Bladna’s investigation reveals that the decision for Senegal to lose was allegedly made following their 1-0 defeat to Algeria on November 7, 2024. With the group dynamics clear, certain Senegalese officials reportedly preferred Morocco to qualify over Algeria. The report includes alleged audio conversations and documents pointing to instructions given to players not to perform at their best in the final match.
This alleged sabotage has sparked significant controversy, raising serious questions about sporting integrity in the CAF qualifiers. The evidence, as presented, suggests a calculated effort to influence the outcome of a decisive World Cup qualification match.
