The Senegalese Football Federation has ended Pape Thiaw’s spell as head coach of the Teranga Lions, less than two years after his appointment.
The FSF confirmed the decision on Sunday, citing a full review of results and the future direction of the national team. Officials said the change was made “in the best interests of Senegalese football.”
Thiaw’s World Cup run ended in disappointment in the round of 32. Senegal led Belgium 2-0, but conceded three goals in extra time to lose 3-2 and bow out of the 2026 tournament.
The campaign had already been bumpy. Senegal lost their first two group games to France and Norway, then rescued their progress with a 5-0 win over Iraq that saw them through as one of the best third-placed sides. They couldn’t carry that momentum into the knockout stage.
Off the pitch, pressure was building too. Midfielder Pape Gueye announced a temporary break from international football right after the exit, saying he would not return until changes were made to the technical staff.
Thiaw’s time in charge was also marked by controversy from the 2025 AFCON final. In that match against Morocco, he pulled his players off the field in stoppage time after a late penalty was awarded to the hosts. Senegal came back and won in extra time, but CAF later overturned the result, handed the title to Morocco, and stripped Senegal of the trophy over the walk-off. The FSF is currently appealing that ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The federation said it will name a new head coach ahead of the next international window. No interim coach has been announced yet.
