Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw made a surprising statement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing Norway above traditional European giants such as France, Spain, and Germany.
As the Lions of Teranga prepare for the tournament, following a solid 2-0 win over Peru, the coach took time during his pre-match press conference to highlight the strength of one of their future opponents. Senegal will face Gambia next, but Thiaw’s focus clearly extends to the bigger challenges ahead.
Speaking about Norway, Thiaw did not hold back his admiration. “I think they are an excellent team. For me, right now they are even the best team in Europe. They are showing some very good things,” he said.
Despite acknowledging their recent 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands without key players, the Senegalese coach remains convinced of their quality. His bold claim adds extra intrigue to a group that already promises to be one of the most competitive at the FIFA World Cup 2026.