Pape Thiaw sacked as Senegal coach after disappointing FIFA World Cup | World Cup 2026 news

Senegal will be separated from their head coach after being eliminated from the tournament in the round of 32.

Senegal sacked football coach Pape Thiaw on Saturday, saying the country’s World Cup results should change in management.

Senegal are hoping to become World Cup contenders, after defeating Morocco in January in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, but had a disappointing campaign as they lost their opening two group games to France and Norway and gave up a 2-0 lead with five minutes remaining against Belgium in the last 32 before falling 3-2 in extra time.

Thiaw, 45, was due to serve a five-match ban in September at the start of the 2027 Cup of Nations because he led the players in protesting the penalty awarded to Morocco in the 2025 final in Rabat.

French daily L’Equipe reported that Patrick Vieira, France’s World Cup winner who was born in Dakar, was among the favorites to take over.