Pape Thiaw sacked by Senegal after World Cup exit in Round of 16

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) ended Pape Thiaw’s tenure as national team manager on Sunday, July 12, 2026, the day after an Executive Committee meeting. The decision followed the premature elimination of the Lions of Teranga in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

In a statement published early Sunday morning, the FSF said it had “decided to initiate a procedure to terminate the functions of national team manager Pape Thiaw,” following “a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team.” A few hours later, the federation confirmed the departure on social media with a message of thanks to the coach: “Our paths part today, but the memories and legacy you leave will continue to inspire.”

The timing is particularly sensitive: just over five months ago, Senegal played in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, a match whose ultimate winner has yet to be determined. This context did not prevent some supporters from harshly judging the federation’s decision. On social media platform X, many users felt that Pape Thiaw was merely “the scapegoat” used by the leadership to shirk collective failure, with some calling for “the federal board to follow.”

FSF president Abdoulaye Fall is now tasked with finding a successor. A press conference is scheduled for Monday, July 13, to provide more details on what comes next. In recent days, Patrick Vieira’s name has been circulating insistently as a potential candidate to lead the national team.