A video of Senegal’s national football team going through security checks at Raleigh Airport in North Carolina went viral this week, sparking outrage across social media. The footage led to widespread speculation that the Lions of Teranga were subjected to unusual or discriminatory treatment upon arriving in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Senegal Football Federation had a different version of events. And it moved quickly to share it.
What actually happened at Raleigh Airport
According to the FSF’s official statement, the security screening captured in the viral video took place on June 7, 2026, at Raleigh Airport. The team was boarding a private flight to San Antonio, Texas, not arriving in the country as many viewers assumed.
The checks were standard boarding procedures required by airport security regulations for private flights, not some targeted inspection at the arrivals gate.
