Senegal Dismisses Head Coach Pape Thiaw After World Cup Exit
Senegal has fired head coach Pape Thiaw and his technical staff following the national team's early exit at the last-32 stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Senegal has dismissed head coach Pape Thiaw and his entire technical staff following the national team's early elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the last-32 stage, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed. The decision ends Thiaw's tenure in charge of the Lions of Teranga amid mounting criticism from fans and football stakeholders.
The FSF cited the team's underwhelming performance as the primary reason for the dismissal, according to a statement reported by Complete Sports. Senegal failed to progress beyond the knockout round, falling short of expectations after reaching the quarterfinals in previous tournaments.
Al Jazeera reported that Thiaw's departure marks a significant reset for Senegalese football leadership following the campaign. No successor has been named, though the federation is expected to announce an interim or permanent appointment in the coming days. Thiaw leaves with a record of mixed results, having guided the team through qualification but unable to deliver on the global stage.
The move underscores the pressure on African coaches to deliver continental success at major tournaments. The FSF has not disclosed further details about the search for a new head coach.