Senegal Part Ways with Coach Pape Thiaw After World Cup Exit

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has announced the dismissal of head coach Pape Thiaw following the country's disappointing performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision comes after the Teranga Lions were eliminated in the Round of 16, ending their hopes of progressing further in the tournament.

In a statement, the federation thanked Thiaw for his service and commitment to Senegalese football but said it was necessary to begin a new chapter as preparations for future international competitions get underway. The FSF noted that a new head coach would be appointed in due course.

Thiaw took charge of the national team after succeeding Aliou Cissé and was tasked with maintaining Senegal's status as one of Africa's leading football nations. Although the team qualified for the World Cup and reached the knockout stage, expectations were higher following Senegal's recent successes on the continental stage.

The federation acknowledged the players' efforts during the tournament but said the overall campaign fell short of the objectives set before the competition. Football stakeholders in Senegal have since called for a thorough review of the team's performance as the country prepares for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and 2028 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Senegal remain one of Africa's strongest football nations, and the federation expressed confidence that the team would bounce back under new leadership. The search for Thiaw's successor is expected to begin immediately as efforts continue to rebuild the squad ahead of future international assignments.