Senegal will not be permitted to wear the star commemorating their Africa Cup of Nations triumph on their shirts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after FIFA enforced regulations governing kit designs at the tournament.
The decision means the West African nation must remove the symbol that has appeared above the team crest since their victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, despite the star being a recognised representation of their continental success.
The development was reported by African football journalist Micky Jnr, who said on Sunday that FIFA had informed Senegal that the emblem could not be displayed during the competition.
“Senegal have been told they cannot wear their AFCON star on their jersey during the FIFA World Cup,” the journalist said on X.
According to FIFA regulations, stars representing victories in continental championships are permitted only in friendly matches and qualifying fixtures. During FIFA’s major international tournaments, however, stars displayed on national team jerseys are reserved exclusively for countries that have won the World Cup.
As a result, Senegal’s players will be unable to showcase the symbol that honours the country’s greatest achievement in African football while competing on the global stage.
The ruling comes as Senegal prepare to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which is being staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada between 11 June and 19 July.
Senegal enter the tournament as one of Africa’s representatives and will compete in Group I. Their opponents in the first phase of the competition are France, Norway and Iraq.
The issue is not limited to Senegal. It was also revealed on Saturday that Egypt had been affected by the same FIFA regulations.
Despite being seven-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations and the most successful nation in the history of the continental competition, Egypt have likewise been prevented from displaying stars linked to their AFCON achievements on their World Cup kit.
The decisions underline FIFA’s long-standing distinction between honours won at continental level and success achieved in the World Cup itself.
Under the governing body’s rules, national teams may acknowledge continental championship victories through stars during certain matches, including friendlies and qualifying campaigns. Those same symbols, however, are not allowed at the World Cup finals unless they represent World Cup titles.
For Senegal, the ruling means supporters will not see the star associated with the country’s historic AFCON success on the team’s shirts during the tournament.
The Teranga Lions earned the right to wear the symbol after lifting the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, a landmark achievement in the nation’s football history. Nevertheless, FIFA’s regulations take precedence during the World Cup, requiring teams to comply with a different set of kit standards.
With the matter settled, attention now turns to events on the pitch as Senegal prepare for their Group I campaign against France, Norway and Iraq.
While the absence of the AFCON star may disappoint some supporters, the team’s focus will remain on attempting to make an impact at football’s biggest tournament as the World Cup unfolds across North America over the coming weeks.
