Senegal parts ways with coach Pape Bouna Thiaw after World Cup disappointment
Senegal sacked coach Pape Bouna Thiaw on Saturday, July 12, 2026, following the team's underwhelming performance in the FIFA World Cup. The Lions of Teranga entered the tournament as Africa Cup of Nations champions after defeating Morocco in January 2026, but their World Cup campaign fell short of expectations, according to Reuters.
The team lost their first two group-stage matches to France and Norway. They were then eliminated in the round of 32 after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium, despite holding a 2-0 lead with just five minutes of normal time remaining.
Thiaw's tenure and disciplinary issues
Thiaw, 45, was due to begin a five-match suspension in September 2026 at the start of Senegal's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The suspension stemmed from an incident during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, where he led his players off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco.
The Senegalese Football Federation has scheduled a press conference for Monday, July 14, to outline its plans following Thiaw's departure.
Patrick Vieira emerges as top candidate
French newspaper L'Equipe reported, citing Reuters, that former France midfielder and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira is among the leading candidates to succeed Thiaw. Vieira was born in Dakar, Senegal, and has previously managed clubs such as Crystal Palace and Strasbourg.
