Following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic departure from the 2026 World Cup, Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye, who was left frustrated by the coach’s tactics, has threatened to stop playing for his nation should head coach Pape Thiaw remain in charge.
In their Round of 32 match on Wednesday, the Senegalese suffered a devastating loss after giving up a two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 to Belgium. The Villarreal midfielder Gueye spoke with deep emotion about the loss, saying he would quit his international career unless there were changes to the coaching staff of the national squad.
The 26-year-old wrote in an Instagram post following the game: “I will come back later to discuss the causes for the elimination”. But today I am declaring that I will stop participating for the national team as long as this coaching staff stays.
Gueye’s remarks come following one of Senegal’s most agonising World Cup losses, when the West Africans seemed to have one foot in the last 16 before having a spectacular collapse.
Senegal got the ideal start when Habib Diarra scored from the rebound after Ismaila Sarr’s header hit the post.
With his fourth goal of the competition, a strike that also tied Roger Milla’s record for the most goals scored by an African player at a single men’s World Cup, Sarr then extended the Teranga Lions’ lead.
Senegal seemed sure to clinch their berth in the following round, given a two-goal advantage.
But Belgium mounted an incredible comeback, scoring three late goals to close the gap and complete an amazing turnaround that killed Senegal’s chances of advancing in the competition.
The Turnaround
Belgium appeared ready to be eliminated until Romelu Lukaku scored from a Thomas Meunier cross to give them optimism.
The Return!
Yuri Tielemans bravely headed Belgium back into contention. He scored to send the game into overtime, holding off two Senegal defenders and the goalkeeper, Mory Diaw.
Late Drama
Following a challenge on Tielemans by Camara, we searched for a potential penalty for Belgium. Youri Tielemans converted the penalty given to send Belgium into the last sixteen of the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
