In the wake of Senegal’s elimination in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, the future of Pape Thiaw is sparking plenty of debate. Rumors of the national coach’s resignation quickly spread on social media and in various media outlets, suggesting an imminent departure. However, according to information published by the daily Libération, no such decision has been officially recorded by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF). At this stage, the coach remains in his position and continues to fulfill his duties while awaiting the conclusions from the governing body.
According to the same source, Pape Thiaw has not submitted any resignation letter to the Federation following the Lions’ early exit. Despite the deep disappointment caused by this elimination, the coach has reportedly taken no official steps to leave his post. Therefore, the numerous reports announcing his departure are not based on any confirmed information. The Federation prefers to take its time to assess the situation before making any decisions regarding the future of the coaching staff and potential changes.
For now, the FSF officials are focusing on analyzing the Lions’ campaign at the 2026 World Cup. A preliminary evaluation meeting took place on Thursday in the United States, where the Senegalese delegation was still present after their elimination. This meeting allowed the leaders to conduct an initial sports assessment, reflecting on the team’s journey, tactical choices, individual performances, and the goals that ultimately went unmet. However, this first step remains a preliminary evaluation.
The Federation now intends to deepen this analysis once the delegation returns to Senegal. A new meeting is scheduled in Dakar in the coming days. This gathering will bring together the main figures in Senegalese football to examine in more detail all aspects of the Lions’ participation in the World Cup. Discussions will cover both sporting results and the organization of preparations, group management, and prospects for upcoming international challenges.
This reflection phase should allow the Federation to make decisions based on solid foundations rather than emotional reactions. The leaders want to establish a comprehensive diagnosis before deciding whether to keep Pape Thiaw at the helm of the national team. The performances during the tournament, the ambitions set before departure, and the expectations of Senegalese football will be at the heart of the discussions. Therefore, no definitive decision is expected before the end of this evaluation process.
🚨🚨 PAPE THIAW SHOULD NOT CONTINUE COACHING SENEGAL 🇸🇳 !!! ❌
He is unlikely to survive the Teranga Lions’ failure at the World Cup.
🗞️ @lequipe pic.twitter.com/2DvfTXXNnK
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) July 3, 2026
After these various meetings, the Senegalese Football Federation plans to officially communicate the conclusions of its analysis. A press conference will be organized to inform the public, supporters, and media about the decisions made regarding the coaching staff of the Lions. This announcement will also revisit the lessons learned from this World Cup campaign and present the strategies set for preparing for the next competitions. Until this official communication, Pape Thiaw remains the national coach and continues his duties, while the Federation favors a methodical approach before any decision.
