Senegal have officially dismissed head coach Pape Thiaw after the Lions of Teranga’s round-of-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup.
Senegal have officially parted ways with head coach Pape Thiaw following the national team’s disappointing elimination in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed the decision after an Executive Committee meeting, announcing that it had begun the process of terminating the contracts of Thiaw and his entire technical staff with immediate effect.
According to the federation, the decision followed a comprehensive review of Senegal’s World Cup campaign. Officials stated that every report related to the tournament had been examined before reaching a conclusion on the future of the coaching staff.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Pape Thiaw has been SACKED as Senegal manager! pic.twitter.com/0WbOHcervS
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) July 12, 2026
The Executive Committee explained that all aspects of Senegal’s performances and the team’s overall direction had been carefully evaluated before deciding that a change was necessary in the best interests of Senegalese football.
The federation also revealed that the dismissal is only the first step in a wider restructuring plan. The Executive Committee has instructed FSF president Augustin Senghor to oversee a complete reorganisation of all of Senegal’s national teams.
Supporters are expected to receive further clarification on the federation’s plans when the FSF president addresses the media at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium. A press conference has been scheduled to explain the reasons behind the sweeping decisions.
Attention has already turned to finding Thiaw’s successor, with former France international Patrick Vieira emerging as the leading candidate to take charge of the Lions of Teranga ahead of the next international cycle.
Senegal will now hope the managerial change can spark a new era after a World Cup campaign that fell well below expectations, with the federation determined to rebuild and return the national team to competing among the world’s elite.
