World Cup 2026: Morocco's Mohamed Chibi Trolls Senegal After Shock Exit to Belgium

Moroccan international Mohamed Chibi has stirred fresh controversy after appearing to mock Senegal following the West Africans' elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Senegal crashed out of the tournament after surrendering a two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in their Round of 32 clash on Wednesday.

Although Chibi was omitted from Morocco's World Cup squad by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the defender took to Instagram shortly after the match to react to Senegal's painful exit.

The defender shared what appeared to be a clip showing the final scoreline and accompanied it with the caption, "Go and cry now," a post widely interpreted as a direct jab at Senegal.

The latest exchange appears to stem from the bitter rivalry that intensified after the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between the two nations.

During that match, Senegal's players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest over a disallowed goal and a VAR decision deep into stoppage time. The game eventually resumed after a lengthy delay, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving Brahim Diaz's penalty before Pape Gueye scored the winner in extra time to hand Senegal the title.

However, Senegal were later stripped of the AFCON crown due to their temporary withdrawal from the match, with Morocco declared champions instead. The decision remains under appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

While Morocco have progressed to the World Cup Round of 16 after eliminating the Netherlands on penalties, Senegal's campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion, adding another chapter to one of African football's fiercest modern rivalries.

Opinion

Football rivalries often extend beyond the pitch, but social media has made them even more intense. Chibi's post is likely to delight some Moroccan fans while provoking Senegalese supporters, further fueling an already heated rivalry. Although such exchanges generate headlines and fan engagement, they also risk overshadowing the spirit of sportsmanship that major international tournaments are meant to promote. As long as the AFCON dispute remains unresolved, tensions between the two footballing nations are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.