In the wake of Senegal’s elimination against Belgium (3-2) in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, the anger of some fans is palpable. An online petition demanding the immediate dismissal of coach Pape Thiaw has gained significant traction and has already surpassed 30,000 signatures.
Addressed to the president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and the members of the Executive Committee, this initiative argues that the Lions’ elimination is the result of tactical and managerial choices that were contested throughout the competition.
The petition’s authors criticize the coach for failing to adequately prepare the next generation of players by continuing to rely on several established players, despite calls to integrate more young talent. They also point to certain team selection decisions, particularly the management of players who were not fully fit.
The scenario of the round of 16 match against Belgium is at the heart of the criticism. The signatories find the management of the end of the match incomprehensible, given that Senegal led 2-0 before losing 3-2.
They believe that the substitutions were made too late and regret that the coaching staff did not fully utilize the five permitted substitutions to inject fresh energy into a team struggling in the final minutes.
The petition also mentions a lack of tactical responsiveness observed during several preparation matches and the group stage. The initiators are therefore calling on the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to begin a new cycle with a coach capable of better utilizing the potential of the new generation of Senegalese players.
