Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly admitted he was not performing at his best after a 2-0 defeat to Colombia on June 22, 2026, in a World Cup group stage match. The center-back, who plays for Al-Hilal, said, 'I was not helping the team,' citing physical difficulties that have plagued Senegal's early tournament campaign.
The loss leaves Senegal at the bottom of Group H with one point from two matches, following a 1-1 draw with Poland. Koulibaly's struggles mirror the team's overall lack of cohesion, as they have scored only one goal so far. The 35-year-old defender has been a key figure for Senegal since their 2022 World Cup run.
Senegal now faces a must-win match against Japan on June 27 to have any chance of advancing. Coach Aliou CissΓ© may consider tactical changes to address the defensive issues. Koulibaly's admission highlights the pressure on the team to improve quickly.
