The President of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Abdoulaye Fall, has attributed the tense atmosphere that surrounded the national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a breakdown in trust between the federation and former head coach Pape Thiaw.
Speaking at a press conference in Dakar on Monday, Fall said disagreements over Thiaw’s contract and salary demands created friction that negatively affected the team’s preparations and performance at the tournament.
Thiaw was dismissed on Sunday after Senegal’s World Cup campaign ended with a last-32 defeat to Belgium on July 1.
According to Fall, the former Senegal international requested a significant salary increase before the team departed for the tournament, delaying the signing of a new contract and straining relations with the federation.
The dispute was eventually resolved during the World Cup, with both parties reaching an agreement on improved terms and outstanding bonus issues.
Fall revealed that at one stage, Thiaw threatened not to travel with the team unless his demands were met, adding that Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye intervened on the day of departure to persuade the coach to join the squad.
He also disclosed that Thiaw refused to take his place on the bench for Senegal’s second group-stage match against Norway until his contract was formally signed.
The federation president said the coach believed football administrators were working against him, a situation he claimed affected the team’s unity and day-to-day operations throughout the competition.
Senegal endured a difficult World Cup campaign, losing their opening two group matches against France and Norway before defeating Iraq 5-0 to secure a place in the knockout stage, where they were eliminated by Belgium.
Thiaw, who took charge of the national team in 2024, guided Senegal to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. However, the Lions of Teranga were later stripped of the title after walking off the pitch during the chaotic final against Morocco.
