sports
Senegal Dismisses Coach Pape Thiaw After 2026 World Cup Round of 32 Exit
The Senegal Football Federation ended Pape Thiaw's tenure as national team manager following elimination at the last-32 stage. Thiaw had led the side since December 2024 and guided it through a mixed group stage and a late collapse against Belgium.
Jul 12, 3:25 AM·1m read3 sources
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Senegal has dismissed national team manager Pape Thiaw after the side's elimination in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. The Senegal Football Federation said the decision followed a thorough evaluation of the team's sporting results and prospects and was taken in the best interests of Senegalese football. Thiaw had been in charge since December 2024.
Senegal lost its opening group matches to France and Norway before defeating Iraq 5-0. The team finished third in the group and advanced as one of the best-placed third-placed sides. In the round of 32 it led Belgium 2-0 before conceding two late goals and a penalty in extra time to lose 3-2.
Midfielder Pape Gueye said he would take a break from playing for Senegal while the current management remained in charge. Senegal entered the tournament after appealing a Confederation of African Football decision that stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
In the January 2025 final Thiaw led the team off the field for about 17 minutes after Morocco received a stoppage-time penalty.
The players returned, Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved, and Gueye scored an extra-time winner. In March the confederation declared Morocco the winners after overturning the result due to the walk-off. Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
