The Senegalese Football Federation announced on Sunday the dismissal of its national team coach, Pape Thiaw, from his position, following the bitter exit of "Black and Whites" from the 2026 World Cup after a loss to Belgium.
The Senegalese Football Federation explained that the dismissal decision included Thiaw and his entire technical and administrative staff.
Communicate with the FSF on the issue of the Executive Committee meeting scheduled for June 11, 2026 pic.twitter.com/P17O8eDz6W
The Senegalese national team bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32 after leading 2-0 against the Belgian national team, before the latter came back strongly and scored the equalizer in the last minutes, then decided the match in its favor with a score of 3-2 in extra time.
Thiaw had been coaching the "Lions of Teranga" since late 2024, and sparked widespread controversy in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco last January when he ordered his players to leave the field in protest against a refereeing decision. Although the players later returned and won the match 1-0, the title was taken from them and awarded to the Moroccan national team a few weeks later because of the coach's actions.
Media reports indicated that French star Patrick Vieira, who won the 1998 World Cup, is among the leading candidates to take over as Senegal coach following Thiaw's departure.
