Senegal star player Pape Gueye demands sacking of coach Thiaw and staff after disastrous World Cup exit

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has threatened to stop representing his country if head coach Pape Thiaw remains in charge following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic exit from the 2026 World Cup.

The Senegalese were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion on Wednesday after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium in their Round of 32 clash.

The defeat prompted an emotional reaction from Villarreal midfielder Gueye, who suggested he would end his international career unless changes are made to the national team’s coaching staff.

In a post on Instagram after the match, the 26-year-old wrote: “I will come back later to talk about the reasons for the elimination. But today I am announcing that as long as this coaching staff remains in place, I will stop playing for the national team.”

Gueye’s comments come in the aftermath of one of Senegal’s most painful World Cup defeats, with the West Africans appearing to have one foot in the last 16 before suffering a dramatic collapse.

Senegal made the perfect start when Habib Diarra broke the deadlock by converting the rebound after Ismaila Sarr saw his header strike the post.

Sarr then extended the Teranga Lions’ advantage with his fourth goal of the tournament, a strike that also saw him equal Roger Milla’s record for the most goals scored by an African player at a single men’s World Cup.

With a two-goal cushion, Senegal appeared destined to secure their place in the next round.

Belgium, however, produced a remarkable fightback, scoring three late goals to overturn the deficit and complete a stunning comeback that ended Senegal’s hopes of progressing in the tournament.

The result left players and supporters devastated, with Gueye’s public criticism of the coaching staff adding to the uncertainty surrounding Thiaw’s future.

Thiaw, who took charge of the national team after succeeding Aliou Cissé, guided Senegal into the knockout stages but now faces mounting scrutiny after the team’s dramatic elimination.

Whether Gueye follows through on his threat remains to be seen, but his statement has intensified pressure on the Senegalese Football Federation as it assesses the future of the coaching staff in the aftermath of the World Cup disappointment.