Ticket trafficking at 2026 World Cup: Senegalese police open investigation into FSF

Senegal’s Criminal Investigation Division has opened an inquiry into the management of 2026 World Cup tickets allocated to the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), two months after the Lions of Teranga were eliminated by Belgium (2-3) on July 1 in Seattle.

The FSF has taken Elite Sports Events Management to court, the company tasked with reselling tickets obtained from FIFA via the Go-Gaindé platform. The dispute concerns an unpaid amount of 50 million CFA francs, approximately €76,000. According to a source close to the case cited by L’Observateur, Elite Sports had only paid a deposit of 10 million out of a total of 60 million, citing an exemption allowing it to settle the remainder after the competition.

The matter takes on particular significance in light of statements made by FSF president Abdoulaye Fall. On July 13, during his World Cup review, he publicly praised the work of Iyane Thiam, head of Elite Sports Events Management, crediting him with organizing accommodation, transport and ticketing for Senegalese supporters wishing to travel to North America. “All the people who registered on the platform had tickets available to them, but these tickets are managed by Elite Sports,” he said.

This new scandal adds to the dysfunctions already documented by independent journalist Romain Molina, who revealed the chaotic behind-the-scenes of the Senegalese delegation during the tournament. On the pitch, the record was no better: six months after their Africa Cup of Nations triumph — a title since awarded to Morocco by administrative decision — Sadio Mané and his teammates were eliminated in the first knockout round by Belgium.