The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially dismissed national team manager Pape Thiaw and his entire coaching staff following the country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The decision was formalized during an FSF Executive Committee meeting on Saturday and announced publicly on Sunday.
According to an official federation statement, the termination comes directly in the wake of the team’s exit from the tournament and follows a comprehensive evaluation of the squad’s sporting results and future prospects.
Thiaw, who had been leading the Lions of Teranga since December 2024, experienced a volatile campaign during the group stage of the tournament, suffering opening-round defeats against both France and Norway. Despite the setbacks, Senegal managed to secure a spot in the knockout rounds after dominant play yielded a 5-0 victory over Iraq.
Read more: World Cup: Norway defeats Senegal with another Haaland brace (with video)
The manager’s tenure ultimately unraveled during a dramatic round-of-32 matchup against Belgium. Senegal initially commanded a comfortable 2-0 lead during the match before letting the advantage slip away as the Belgian squad forced an equalizer during regular time.
The Lions of Teranga were ultimately eliminated after conceding a decisive goal in extra time, ending the match in a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat that prompted the federation to seek a new direction for the national team.
