The Senegal football federation has come under renewed scrutiny following reports that members of the national team’s World Cup delegation were not covered by insurance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with claims that goalkeeper Édouard Mendy was forced to pay for his own medical treatment after suffering an injury.
The latest allegations emerge in the aftermath of Senegal’s exit from the tournament in the Round of 32, a defeat that has been followed by growing criticism over the management of the team’s campaign.
According to Sport News Africa, the absence of insurance cover affected not only the players but also the coaching staff and other members of the Senegalese delegation. The report claims the Senegalese Football Federation had not secured insurance to protect those representing the country throughout the competition.
The issue is said to have become apparent after Mendy sustained a knee injury during Senegal’s second group-stage match against Norway.
The goalkeeper required an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury. However, reports state that because no insurance policy had been arranged for the delegation, Mendy personally covered the cost of the medical examination.
The MRI was carried out in the United States, where medical procedures can be particularly expensive, according to the report.
The insurance allegations represent the latest in a series of reported problems surrounding Senegal’s World Cup campaign.
In recent days, sections of the Senegalese media have highlighted what they describe as several organisational shortcomings within the national team setup following the country’s elimination from the tournament.
Those reports have pointed to alleged dysfunction within the team’s medical department, claims of unpaid bonuses and what has been described as chaotic organisation during the World Cup.
The latest claims concerning insurance have added to the criticism directed at the federation’s handling of the tournament.
Sport News Africa reported that no member of the delegation, including players and coaching staff, had insurance protection during the competition, leaving individuals responsible for meeting certain medical costs themselves if required.
The reported situation is said to have directly affected Mendy after his injury against Norway, with the goalkeeper allegedly paying for the MRI scan needed to evaluate the condition of his knee.
The claims have intensified the tension surrounding Senegal’s national team in the days since their World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 32.
The federation has faced increasing questions over its organisation of the team’s participation, with the insurance issue becoming the latest point of concern following earlier reports relating to the medical staff, bonus payments and overall logistical arrangements during the tournament.
The reports have further fuelled debate over the management of Senegal’s World Cup campaign, with the insurance allegations adding another chapter to the growing controversy surrounding the Lions after their elimination from the competition.
