World Cup 2026 Fallout: Gueye Urges End to Criticism of Senegal's Senior Players

World Cup 2026 Fallout: Gueye Urges End to Criticism of Senegal's Senior Players

Sampson Adedeji

2026 FIFA World Cup fallout continues to generate reactions, with Idrissa Gana Gueye calling for an end to what he described as the unfair demonization of senior players in the Senegal national team, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking after Senegal's elimination from the tournament, Gueye expressed disappointment over the criticism directed at experienced members of the squad, insisting their role is to support the team and help maintain unity.

"I find it a shame. Since the start of the competition, even before, there was so much talk about the senior players, about us being demonized. I don't understand," Gueye said.

"The senior players are just there to ensure things run smoothly, like in all teams. If you ask any team in the world, whether it's a club or a national team, there are always senior players. That's how it works everywhere."

The veteran midfielder also rejected suggestions that senior players wield excessive influence within the squad, stressing that they simply carry out the coach's directives.

"In Senegal, at a certain point, it became problematic. Senior players make decisions, senior players hold meetings, senior players do this... when all they do is follow the coach's instructions," he added.

"The coach uses the senior players to convey his messages, and we circulate them throughout the group. 

"We make sure that the players who are disappointed because they aren't playing remain involved. We talk to them, tell them that they need to stick together because we're all in this together.

"Those who are in better form, we also encourage them to work even harder. We don't do anything extraordinary. It's like in any other team."

Gueye's comments come amid growing scrutiny of Senegal's performance following their disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.