the coach threatens not to go with the team to the final tournament

Ashley Davis3 weeks ago

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Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 23:51 / Updated on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 23:51

Senegal's national team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup are troubled by strong tension around coach Pape Thiaw (45). His contract expired in February, and talks are at a standstill. According to local media, the Senegalese coach refuses to travel with the “Lions of Teranga” to the United States unless his contract is renewed by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).

Pape Thiaw's contract would have expired in February 2026, but there has been no official announcement of a possible renewal to date. Negotiations between the FSF and the Ministry of Sports have been at an impasse for several weeks, leaving the coach in a situation of total uncertainty, just days before the start of the North American World Cup.

The Senegal coach threatens not to go to the World Cup

According to journalist Abdou Khadir, the discontent existed long before the publication of the list of players summoned for the tournament. Tired of waiting for a decision, Pape Thiaw reportedly decided to put on the pressure, threatening not to get on the plane with the team, even though he led the friendly matches in March, according to abola.pt.

The situation is worrying for Senegal, who were hoping to approach the competition with the calmness and stability needed for a good performance, especially after all the controversy in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, in which the Senegalese won on home soil against Morocco but lost the match on the green table.

At the World Cup, Senegal is part of Group I, along with France, Iraq and Norway.

Senegal squad for the World Cup

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli), Mory Diaw (Le Havre AC), Yehvann Diouf (OGC Nice)
defense: Krepin Diatta (AS Monaco), Antoine Mendy (OGC Nice), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Mamadou Sarr (Chelsea), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht).
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Villarreal CF), Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)
Strikers: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germian), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor)