Senegal national football team head coach, Pape Thiaw, has described their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup clash against Norway national football team as “a final for us,” as the West African side prepare for their second Group I fixture at MetLife Stadium on Monday.
The Lions of Teranga opened their campaign with a 3-1 loss to France national football team, and another defeat against Norway would eliminate them from the tournament with a match still to play.
Thiaw stresses urgency ahead of must-win clash
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Thiaw underlined the importance of the fixture while insisting his team has done the necessary preparation and remains focused on securing their first victory of the competition.
“It’s going to be a tough match, but we’ve prepared well. We’ve scouted Norway closely to see their strengths and weaknesses,” Thiaw told reporters ahead of the game as quoted by Wiw Sport.
“It’s an important match, a final for us, because we know a negative result could cost us a place in the next round. Norway is a very good team, very strong offensively and athletically.
“But we’ve prepared for this challenge and are determined to get the win.”
He added, “We knew we were in a tough group. Every match is a final. We messed up the first one against France, but we still have two chances. Now we can’t afford any more mistakes.
“Everyone is fit and eager to give their all and make our people proud. The players are ready. The team is ready.”
On Senegal’s chances of still progressing despite the opening defeat, Thiaw said: “We know we stumbled in the first match. We can’t afford any more mistakes.
“We have to get points to have any chance of qualifying for the round of 32. That will start with this match against Norway, which will be very difficult, just like the previous match against France.
“We’ve reviewed that match thoroughly. We saw our mistakes and we want to correct them. Now, we’re determined for tomorrow’s (Monday’s) match, eager to make our fans proud and continue in the competition.”
“There won’t be an anti-Haaland plan”
Norway began their World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Iraq, with Erling Haaland scoring twice for Norway national football team in the 29th and 43rd minutes to send them top of Group I.
When asked how Senegal planned to contain the Manchester City striker, Thiaw made clear the focus would be collective rather than individual.
“There won’t be an anti-Haaland plan. There will be an anti-Norway plan.
We have top-level defenders who have played in very high-level competitions and have had to face strikers of this calibre.
“The objective is to get those points, but when you’re up against a player like Erling Haaland, who is very effective, it’s certain that we’ll have to be careful. But the most important thing remains Norway.”
Thiaw also revealed that Senegal had conducted detailed analysis of Norway’s performance against Iraq, noting both strengths and weaknesses.
“There weren’t any video analysts present, but we followed the match from a wide perspective. That’s also important. And I think nothing escapes notice when you have relevant video analysts to dissect the Norwegian team,” offered Thiaw.
“Having someone in the stadium provides a different view; there wasn’t one for the Norway vs Iraq match, but we did our job well. We identified their weaknesses and their strengths.”
He further acknowledged internal issues within the camp but assured that unity had been restored ahead of the decisive match.
“Yes, it’s true there have been some issues. But we’re here, the staff, the players, and the Federation,” explained Thiaw.
“We’re focused on the pitch and on tomorrow’s match. I think that’s the most important thing.
“My contract? It’s settled. It took too long. But I must clarify that it was never about money, but rather a matter of principle and respect.”
Thiaw concluded, “As a Senegalese, patriotism comes first. Once I put on this tracksuit, I forget all about the contract.
“But there are things that need to be done. It was done late. After that, these are things that remain internal. The contract is confidential. If the details of my contract need to be revealed, it won’t be me who does it.
“The most important thing is my people. We have an important match and we’re focused on that.”
After facing Norway, Senegal will conclude their group-stage campaign against Iraq national football team on June 26 at Toronto Stadium.
