The Senegalese Football Federation has officially announced the dismissal of head coach Pape Thiaw and his entire technical staff, after their disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The decision followed the Lions of Teranga’s painful Round of 16 elimination against Belgium, a match in which Senegal squandered a two-goal lead before losing 3-2 after extra time. After struggling through the group stage and securing just one victory in the tournament, the federation concluded that a change in leadership had become necessary.
Senegal appeared on course for a memorable qualification after Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr gave the team a comfortable advantage against Belgium. However, Romelu Lukaku sparked the comeback before Youri Tielemans equalized and later converted the decisive penalty in extra time. The collapse intensified criticism of Thiaw’s tactical decisions, squad management, and the team’s repeated inability to protect winning positions. Reports of internal tensions and organizational problems during the tournament further increased the pressure on the coaching staff following the 2026 FIFA World Cup disappointment.
The Senegalese Football Federation confirmed that its Executive Committee approved the procedure to terminate Thiaw’s contract after reviewing the national team’s performances and future prospects. Federation president Abdoulaye Fall has received the mandate to formally notify the coach and oversee a broader restructuring of Senegal’s national teams. With Thiaw’s tenure now coming to an end, local media have already linked Habib Beye, Patrick Vieira, and Hervé Renard with the vacancy as Senegal prepares for a fresh start after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
