World Cup manager sacked after key star refused to play until change was made

Updated: 12 Jul 2026 12:32 BST | 4 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Senegal have sacked manager Pape Thiaw following their elimination from the World Cup in the round of 32.

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The African side passed up a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium in extra time after Youri Tielemans won and converted a controversial, deciding penalty in Seattle.

Senegal crushed Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I game to reach the knockout phase as one of the eight best third-place teams.

Comeback complete! 🤯

Youri Tielemans scores from the penalty spot to complete the turnaround in extra time 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/7orZTm5WTt
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 1, 2026

The Teranga Lions were beaten by France and Norway in their opening two fixtures in the group phase.

Following their dramatic loss to Belgium in the last 32, Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye announced he would be “taking a break” from the national team as long as the current management was in charge.

Villarreal man Gueye, who scored twice in the 5-0 win over Iraq, said on social media: “I will come back to say a few words about the elimination... but I am announcing today that as long as this coaching staff is in place, I will be taking a break from the national team.”

However, Senegal announced on Sunday that Thiaw, who had managed the country since December 2024, has now been dismissed.

In an official statement, the Senegal Football Federation said they had sacked Thiaw “in the best interests of Senegalese football” following “a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team.”

Thiaw led Senegal players off the pitch in chaotic AFCON final

After guiding Senegal to qualification for this summer’s World Cup, Thiaw led his nation at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations - a tournament which remains steeped in controversy.

Thiaw ordered his Senegal players off the field after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty in the AFCON final in January.

After a delay of around 17 minutes, play was eventually resumed as Brahim Diaz saw his spot-kick saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal star Gueye would go on to score the winner in the showpiece, though Morocco were later declared as winners of the competition after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result following the decision of Thiaw’s men to walk off the pitch.

Senegal have since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as they look to regain their title.

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