Fact-checking claims that Senegal’s football team were treated like ‘criminals’ at US airport

Kicking off this Thursday, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen a fair share of criticism, before having begun. A new viral video has triggered more backlash, showing Senegal's national team being searched on the tarmac of a US airport with metal detectors, which internet users claimed shows the players "treated like criminals" and "unapologetic racism." There's also a photo of the coach undergoing the same treatment. But how real are these images?

This report comes from France 24. The story centres on Fact-checking claims that Senegal’s football team were treated like ‘criminals’ at US airport. Full coverage and background context is available at the original source. Readers seeking more detail on this developing topic are encouraged to follow updates from France 24 and related outlets covering this beat.