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The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially terminated the services of head coach Pape Thiaw following the national team’s round of 32 exit at the 2026 World Cup. Despite high hopes and predictions of a strong showing, the Teranga Lions struggled to make a significant impact on the global stage and ultimately fell short of expectations.

World Cup disappointment prompts managerial change

In an official statement, the FSF explained the reasoning behind Thiaw’s dismissal: “After a detailed review of the national team’s sporting performance and future outlook, the Executive Committee decided that this course of action was necessary in the best interests of Senegalese football.” The federation also announced that president Abdoulaye Fall will hold a press conference on Monday to elaborate on the “reasons behind this decision” and to outline the “future direction” of the national team.

Late collapse against Belgium proved decisive

Thiaw’s downfall was sealed during a dramatic round-of-32 encounter against Belgium. Senegal appeared to be cruising toward the next stage, holding a comfortable 2-0 lead until the 86th minute. However, a late defensive meltdown allowed Belgium to score twice in quick succession, forcing extra time, where Senegal eventually lost following a conceded penalty.

It was a turbulent World Cup campaign overall for the West African side. After losing to France and Norway in the group phase, Senegal managed to scrape through to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams, thanks to a commanding 5-0 win over Iraq. Yet, the inconsistency and lack of cohesion throughout the tournament ultimately led the FSF to make a change at the helm.

A controversial tenure

Thiaw’s reign was marked by a series of contentious moments, most notably during the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Though Senegal initially celebrated what seemed to be a triumph in the final, controversy erupted when Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick, causing a chaotic 17-minute interruption. While Pape Gueye later scored an extra-time winner, Morocco were eventually handed the title two months later following an appeals committee ruling.

The fallout from that incident and the ensuing legal disputes over the AFCON final result created instability within the national team. The off-field tension became more evident after Senegal’s World Cup elimination, when Gueye announced that he would be “taking a break” from international duty as long as the current management remained in place.

Internal discord and contract issues

Beyond the team’s mixed results, Thiaw’s working relationship with the FSF had been strained for several months. In May, reports emerged claiming that the coach had declined to board a flight to the United States for pre-World Cup preparations because his contract had expired in February. Although the FSF swiftly issued a statement categorically denying these rumours, questions surrounding Thiaw’s long-term position persisted throughout the tournament.