Mendy departed to cover his own medical expenses as the turmoil surrounding Senegal's World Cup health issues comes to light.

[caption id="attachment_1322726" align="alignnone" width="612"] SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Eduoard Mendy of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St. Mary's Stadium on August 30, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)[/caption]Edouard Mendy's journey in the 2026 World Cup took a regrettable turn when he sustained a knee injury during the match against Norway, bringing to light significant concerns regarding Senegal's player welfare. The Al-Ahli goalkeeper had to finance his own MRI scan after the Senegalese Football Federation failed to arrange medical insurance for anyone in the delegation. Mendy injured his left knee while attempting a save in Senegal's 3-2 group-stage loss to Norway and exited the field in the 63rd minute. He required an MRI to evaluate the injury but ended up bearing the costs himself, a notably expensive process in the United States. This incident exemplifies broader organizational issues. As reported by *Sport News Africa*, none of the players, coaching staff, or other members of Senegal's party had insurance coverage during the World Cup. Medical personnel operated without appropriate contracts and had not received all the salaries and bonuses due to them. A French doctor, who joined before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, was never given a formal contract and had to pay for medical tests—including MRIs for particular players—out of his own funds, without any reimbursement. Senegal's physiotherapists were owed payments dating back to AFCON, and some members of the delegation had to pay for their own return trips home. Tensions within the medical team were palpable, marked by disputes over equipment, treatment schedules, and the distribution of physiotherapists. Some players arrived late for treatment or skipped sessions entirely due to the lack of a monitoring system. Reports suggest that players did not fully trust team doctor Abderahmane Fedior and often sought external medical opinions. For Mendy, a Champions League champion with Chelsea and a former FIFA Best Men's Goalkeeper, this situation underscores the significant decline in Senegal's organizational standards during the tournament. The Lions' World Cup campaign concluded with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium after relinquishing a two-goal advantage, but the off-field shortcomings may leave a more enduring impact.