Senegal have ended Pape Thiaw’s tenure as head coach following their disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) deciding a change in leadership is needed ahead of future competitions.
The decision, announced on Saturday, brings an end to Thiaw’s spell in charge after the Teranga Lions entered the tournament with high expectations following their triumph at the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year.
Despite arriving at the World Cup as African champions, Senegal struggled to replicate that form on football’s biggest stage. The West Africans suffered defeats in their opening two group matches against France and Norway, leaving their qualification hopes under immediate pressure.
They eventually reached the knockout phase after a convincing 5-0 victory over Iraq helped them secure the final available spot among the best third-placed teams.
However, their tournament ended in dramatic fashion in the round of 32 against Belgium.
Senegal appeared on course for progress after taking a 2-0 lead, but Belgium produced a late comeback by scoring twice in normal time before completing a remarkable turnaround with an extra-time winner to seal a 3-2 victory.
The collapse against Belgium proved decisive in the federation’s assessment of Thiaw’s future, despite the coach having guided Senegal to continental success earlier in the year.
The FSF said it had made the decision “after a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team” and dismissed Thiaw “in the best interests of Senegalese football”.
Thiaw, 45, had been in charge of Senegal since December 2024 and leaves with the achievement of winning the Africa Cup of Nations as the highlight of his tenure.
However, the failure to deliver a strong World Cup performance ultimately led to his departure.
The coach was also facing disciplinary issues after being handed a five-match suspension for leading Senegal’s players off the pitch during the AFCON final in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco.
The aftermath of the World Cup exit also created further uncertainty within the squad, with midfielder Pape Gueye announcing he would be “taking a break” from international duty while the current coaching staff remained in place.
Attention has now shifted towards finding Thiaw’s replacement, with former France international Patrick Vieira emerging as one of the leading candidates.
Vieira, who was born in Dakar but represented France during his playing career, has managed clubs including New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg. He has developed a reputation for working with young players and promoting an attacking style of football.
Although Vieira has never managed a national team, his experience at the highest level has made him a strong contender as Senegal look to begin a new chapter.
For the Teranga Lions, the challenge now is rebuilding after a period that delivered African success but fell short of expectations on the global stage.
