Senegal has dismissed manager Pape Thiaw following the national team's disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup. The decision, announced by the Senegal Football Federation (FSF), comes after the team was eliminated in the last-32 stage on July 12, 2026, after losing to Belgium in a dramatic match.
Thiaw's Tenure and World Cup Performance
Pape Thiaw managed the Teranga Lions since December 2024. Under his leadership, Senegal faced a tough group stage, suffering defeats against France and Norway before a decisive 5-0 victory over Iraq allowed them to progress to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
In the last-32 match, Senegal initially led Belgium 2-0 but ultimately fell short, conceding two late goals and losing 3-2 after a penalty in extra time. This heartbreaking defeat prompted midfielder Pape Gueye to announce that he would be taking a break from international play until the coaching staff was replaced.
Controversy Surrounding the Team
Prior to the World Cup, Senegal faced controversy regarding their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, which was stripped by the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Thiaw was a central figure in this incident, having led the team off the field during a penalty decision in the final against Morocco. Although Senegal initially won the match, Caf later overturned the result, declaring Morocco the champions.
