Nigeria, June 16 -- Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has made it clear that his team's focus is firmly fixed on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the lingering fallout from January's dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final will not distract the Lions of Teranga ahead of their blockbuster opener against France.

Speaking at Monday's pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday's Group I showdown at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Thiaw dismissed suggestions that the unresolved AFCON controversy remains on the minds of his players.

"I am not going to go back over the AFCON, that's behind us. This is the World Cup. We have prepared well for it, and we are focused on tomorrow's (Tuesday) match," the Senegal coach said.

His comments come almost fiv...