Senegal Sack Manager Pape Thiaw After World Cup Exit
Senegal have dismissed manager Pape Thiaw following the country's elimination at the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Thiaw, who had been in charge of the Teranga Lions since December 2024, oversaw a campaign where Senegal lost their opening two group matches against France and Norway.
Despite these setbacks, Senegal secured qualification to the knockout stages by defeating Iraq 5-0, earning the final spot among the best third-placed teams in their group.
In the last-32 round, Senegal initially led Belgium 2-0 but conceded two late goals, and ultimately lost 3-2 in extra time after a penalty was awarded against them.
Following the team's exit, midfielder Pape Gueye announced he would be
"taking a break"from representing Senegal while the current management remains in place.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) stated that,
"after a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team", it had decided to relieve Thiaw of his duties
"in the best interests of Senegalese football".
Context: From Afcon Controversy to World Cup Disappointment
Senegal entered the 2026 World Cup amid ongoing controversy stemming from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final, where Thiaw was a central figure.
During the Afcon final in January, Thiaw led his team off the field after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. The players returned after approximately 17 minutes, during which Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved and Senegal's Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time.
However, in March, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the final result following Senegal's walk-off, awarding Morocco the title and stripping Senegal of the championship.
Senegal has since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to regain the title.
Match Details
Senegal's group stage results included defeats to France and Norway, followed by a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq to advance.
In the knockout round, despite a strong start against Belgium with a 2-0 lead, Senegal conceded two late goals to level the match. In extra time, a penalty awarded to Belgium allowed Youri Tielemans to score the decisive goal, sending Belgium into the last 16.
Player Reactions and Future Prospects
Midfielder Pape Gueye expressed his dissatisfaction with the current coaching setup, stating he would pause his international career until changes are made.
The FSF's decision to dismiss Thiaw reflects a broader evaluation of the national team's performance and future direction.
Additional Information
Thiaw, a former Senegal player at the 2002 World Cup, had been appointed manager in December 2024.
Senegal's appeal against the Caf decision regarding the 2025 Afcon title remains pending.
For further coverage of the World Cup and related football news, viewers can access content on and ITV.
