The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has sacked head coach Pape Thiaw in the wake of the Teranga Lions’ dramatic exit from the 2026 World Cup at the last-32 stage.

A Rollercoaster World Cup Campaign

Senegal’s tournament in North America was anything but straightforward. The Teranga Lions lost their opening two group matches against France and Norway, putting their knockout-stage hopes in serious jeopardy.

They rallied with a convincing 5-0 thrashing of Iraq in their final group game, securing a spot as one of the best third-placed teams. It was the kind of performance that suggested Thiaw’s side had found their rhythm at the right moment.

The Belgium Heartbreak

The last-32 tie against Belgium looked set to be a famous victory. Senegal surged to a 2-0 lead and appeared to be cruising into the quarter-finals.

Then everything fell apart. Belgium scored twice late in normal time to force extra time, before converting a penalty to complete a stunning 3-2 comeback. It was one of the most dramatic collapses of the entire tournament.

The Afcon Controversy That Never Went Away

Thiaw’s tenure had been overshadowed by controversy long before the World Cup began. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in January, Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch when the referee awarded Morocco a stoppage-time penalty.

The team eventually returned after a delay of approximately 17 minutes. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his penalty saved, and Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner for Senegal. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result in March, declaring Morocco the tournament champions after investigating the walk-off incident.

Senegal have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and hope to regain the title, but the episode left a stain on Thiaw’s reputation.

Players Speak Out

The dressing room had already begun to fracture before the official announcement. Midfielder Pape Gueye publicly stated he would be “taking a break” from international football as long as the current coaching staff remained in charge.

That kind of public dissent from a key player made Thiaw’s position increasingly untenable.

The Federation’s Decision

The FSF confirmed the dismissal in an official statement, saying it came “after a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team” and was taken “in the best interests of Senegalese football.”

Thiaw, who represented Senegal as a player at the 2002 World Cup, had been in charge since December 2024. His tenure lasted just over 18 months.

What Comes Next for Senegal

Senegal now face a period of rebuilding. The new manager will inherit a squad with genuine talent but deep divisions. The CAS appeal over the Afcon title remains unresolved, and several senior players may follow Gueye’s lead in stepping away.

The Teranga Lions were Africa’s best team for much of the past decade — winning the 2022 Afcon and reaching the World Cup knockout stages in Qatar. Restoring that unity and belief will be the top priority for whoever takes charge next.