Africa-Press. The Senegalese Football Federation dismissed coach Pape Thiaw on Saturday following the team’s exit from the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup.
After a meeting of its executive committee, it was decided to initiate the process of terminating the national team’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, along with all members of his coaching staff.
The statement continued: “This decision comes after the Senegalese team was eliminated from the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup. Following a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and the prospects of the national team, the executive committee deemed it necessary to take this step in the best interest of Senegalese football.”
Senegal lost their opening match against France 1-3, then fell to Norway 2-3 before achieving a significant victory over Iraq 5-0, which allowed them to be among the best eight teams finishing third.
In the Round of 32, they led Belgium 2-0 until the 86th minute and were on their way to the Round of 16 before conceding three goals, the last of which came in the dying moments of extra time.
Following their World Cup exit, Senegalese fans called for radical changes in the national team’s structure, with petitions demanding Thiaw’s dismissal receiving widespread support. Reports also indicated internal tensions within the team following the tournament.
Midfielder Pape Gueye threatened to stop playing for the national team “as long as this coaching staff remains.”
Thiaw, 45, who took over from Aliou Cissé in late 2024, led the Senegal national team to the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this year, which they won against Morocco, before the title was later stripped from them by a decision from the African Football Confederation.
