Senegal have sacked manager Pape Thiaw in the wake of the country's elimination at the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup, bringing an end to a tenure that began in December 2024 and was marred by controversy both on and off the pitch.
World Cup Campaign Ends in Heartbreak
The Teranga Lions endured a difficult start to the tournament, suffering defeats against France and Norway in their opening two group-stage matches. A dominant 5-0 thrashing of Iraq ultimately proved enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds, with Senegal claiming the final spot available to the best third-placed teams.
However, their tournament concluded in especially painful circumstances. Senegal established a 2-0 lead over Belgium in the last-32 tie, only to concede two late goals and then a penalty in extra time, resulting in a dramatic 3-2 defeat that sent them crashing out of the competition.
Federation Acts Amid Player Unrest
Following the elimination, midfielder Pape Gueye announced that he would be "taking a break" from international duty for as long as the current management remained in place, a signal of growing discontent within the squad.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) subsequently confirmed Thiaw's dismissal, stating that the decision was made "after a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team" and that it acted "in the best interests of Senegalese football."
Shadow of the AFCON Walk-Off Controversy
Thiaw's time as manager was heavily overshadowed by a major controversy dating back to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in January. During that match against Morocco, Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. The squad eventually returned following a delay of roughly 17 minutes. Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved, and Gueye scored an extra-time winner that appeared to crown Senegal as champions.