Senegal's football federation has removed manager Pape Thiaw from his position after the nation's premature World Cup exit. Despite progressing from their group with a dominant 5-0 victory over Iraq, Senegal faced elimination in the knockout round when Belgium overturned a 2-0 deficit, winning 3-2 after extra time with a controversial penalty award. The federation cited the need to reassess the team's direction following "thorough evaluation" of recent sporting performance.

Thiaw's dismissal comes amid lingering fallout from Senegal's controversial Africa Cup of Nations campaign, during which he instructed his players to leave the field after Morocco received a stoppage-time penalty in the final. Though Senegal's goalkeeper saved that penalty and scored in extra time, the Confederation of African Football later overturned the result entirely, awarding the title to Morocco. Senegal's appeal of that decision remains pending at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The controversy has prompted midfielder Pape Gueye to announce he will not return to international football until the coaching staff is replaced.