PARIS, France (AFP) — The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced yesterday that their national head coach, Pape Thiaw, has been sacked in the wake of his side’s last-32 elimination at the World Cup.

“Following a meeting of the (FSF) executive committee, it was decided to initiate proceedings to relieve national team coach Pape Thiaw, as well as the entire coaching staff, of their duties,” the federation said in a statement.

FSF says President Abdoulaye Fall will hold a press conference today to explain the “reasons behind this decision” and “to discuss the future”.

Thiaw, 45 and a former Senegal international, took over as national team head coach in 2024.

But he paid the price for a disappointing World Cup in which the Lions of Teranga suffered two defeats in the group stage, against France and Norway, before a 5–0 victory over Iraq secured their place in the knockout rounds.

Senegal were then knocked out by Belgium in the round of 32, losing 3-2 after extra time despite having led 2-0 until the 86th minute.

Under Thiaw, Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations final in January before being stripped of their title as a punishment for walking off the pitch during the chaotic final against Morocco.