Senegal Midfielder Refuses Return Unless Coaching Staff Changes

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced that he will take a break from international football as long as the current coaching staff remains in charge of the national team. He made the decision after Senegal squandered a 2-0 lead and suffered a dramatic defeat to Belgium in the World Cup Round of 32. Pape Thiaw currently serves as head coach of the Senegal national team.

Senegal took control of the match through goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. However, late strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans forced the game into extra time. Belgium then received a controversial penalty in the 125th minute, and Tielemans converted the spot kick to eliminate Senegal from the tournament.

Gueye, who plays for La Liga club Villarreal CF, started the match but left the field in the 66th minute, with Lamine Camara coming on as his replacement.

In a social media post, Gueye said, “I will speak further after I step away... but today I am announcing that I will take a break from the national team for as long as this coaching staff remains in charge.”

The midfielder has made 45 appearances for Senegal and scored twice in the team’s group-stage victory over Iraq.

Thiaw has led Senegal since December 2024 and was also at the center of controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title race. During the AFCON final, he ordered his team off the field after Morocco received a penalty in stoppage time. The players returned after a delay of nearly 17 minutes. Gueye then saved Brahim Díaz’s penalty before scoring the winning goal himself in extra time.

However, in March, the Confederation of African Football nullified the result because of Senegal’s walk-off and declared Morocco the tournament champion. Senegal has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and remains hopeful of having the title reinstated.