Senegal have parted ways with head coach Pape Thiaw after the national side suffered a painful exit from the 2026 World Cup in the last-32 stage.
Thiaw had been in charge of the Teranga Lions since December 2024, taking the reins ahead of what proved to be a turbulent period for Senegalese football.
The team endured a difficult group stage, losing their opening two matches against France and Norway before recovering with a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq.
That win over Iraq was enough to see Senegal advance as one of the best third-placed teams and secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
Their last-32 tie against Belgium appeared to be going to plan when they established a 2-0 lead, seemingly on course for a comfortable victory.
However, Belgium mounted a stunning comeback, scoring two late goals and converting a penalty in extra time to win 3-2 and eliminate Senegal from the tournament.
The Senegal Football Federation said that “after a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team” it had dismissed Thiaw “in the best interests of Senegalese football.”
The fallout from the defeat extended beyond the sacking of the manager, with midfielder Pape Gueye announcing he would be “taking a break” from international duty while the current management remained in charge.
Senegal’s World Cup campaign also took place against the backdrop of ongoing controversy stemming from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in January.
Thiaw was at the centre of that controversy, having ushered his players off the field when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty in the Afcon final.
The players returned after a delay of roughly 17 minutes, with Brahim Diaz’s penalty subsequently saved and Gueye scoring an extra-time winner to seemingly claim the title.
However, the Confederation of African Football overturned the result in March following Senegal’s walk-off, declaring Morocco the winners of the tournament instead.
Senegal have since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in hopes of being reinstated as Afcon champions.
The sacking of Thiaw brings to an end a deeply troubled chapter for Senegalese football, with the federation now tasked with rebuilding under new leadership.
