Senegal FA Dismiss Head Coach Pape Thiaw After 2026 World Cup Exit

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially announced the dismissal of head coach Pape Thiaw following the national team's elimination from the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In an official statement released on Sunday, the federation confirmed that its Executive Committee had decided to begin the process of terminating the contracts of Thiaw and his entire coaching staff after reviewing the team's performances and assessing the future of the national side.

"The decision follows Senegal's exit from the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a comprehensive evaluation of the team's sporting results and future objectives, the Executive Committee concluded that this step serves the best interests of Senegalese football," the statement said.

The federation also announced that FSF President Abdoulaye Fall has been tasked with formally notifying the coach and overseeing a comprehensive restructuring of all Senegal national teams.

Fall is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday, July 13, at Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, where he will explain the reasons behind the decision and outline the federation's plans for the future.

Thiaw, 45, was appointed Senegal's permanent head coach in December 2024 after initially serving on an interim basis following the departure of Aliou Cissé. During his tenure, he guided the Lions of Teranga to victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

French media reports have identified former France international Patrick Vieira as one of the leading candidates to replace Thiaw as Senegal's next head coach.