Sarr vows Senegal will bounce back after Norway loss, eyes Iraq win
Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr scored two goals but his side lost 3‑2 to Norway in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group‑stage match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 22, 2026. The defeat leaves Senegal with zero points after two games, and they must win their final group match against Iraq to keep any hope of reaching the Round of 32.
The result matters for African fans because Senegal was one of the continent’s five representatives; a loss puts extra pressure on the remaining African sides and revives talk of the "AFCON winner curse" that has hampered past champions. For the Senegalese diaspora in Nigeria and across West Africa, the team’s resilience — or lack of it — directly affects continental pride and bragging rights.
Sarr said the team will work hard to beat Iraq in the decider, urging fans to keep faith. The question for supporters is: if Senegal can turn things around and secure that vital win, will it revive Africa’s World Cup hopes and finally break the curse that has followed recent champions?