Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced he will no longer represent the national team as long as head coach Pape Thiaw remains in charge, following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 27-year-old made the announcement on social media shortly after Senegal surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in their Round of 16 clash.
In a post written in French, Gueye said he would speak further about the team’s elimination but confirmed he was stepping away from international football under the current coaching staff.
“I’ll come back to speak about our elimination, but today I announce that as long as this technical staff remains, I will take a break from the national team,” he wrote.
Senegal appeared to be on course for a place in the quarter-finals after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave them a commanding 2-0 lead.
Belgium mounted a remarkable comeback, with Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scoring late goals to force extra time before Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute, following a VAR review, to seal a 3-2 victory.
The defeat ended Senegal’s hopes of recording their first knockout-stage victory at a World Cup since their memorable debut campaign in 2002.
Gueye’s comments have intensified scrutiny of head coach Pape Thiaw, whose substitutions while protecting a two-goal advantage came under heavy criticism.
Defending his decisions after the match, Thiaw insisted the changes were necessary because several players had become exhausted.
“They were tired and couldn’t continue. Leaving them on the field would have been unprofessional on our part. We had to replace them like for like,” the coach said.
“Of course, when you lose a match after leading 2-0, people will talk about the substitutions. But you can’t reduce everything to that. These changes were dictated primarily by fatigue rather than tactical considerations.”
