Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced he is stepping away from international football for as long as head coach Pape Thiaw and his technical crew remain in charge following the Teranga Lions’ 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.
Gueye said: “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.”
Senegal appeared on course for a place in the quarter-finals after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave the African champions a 2-0 lead.
Belgium, however, mounted a remarkable comeback as Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored late to force extra time before Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute, awarded after a VAR review, to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The defeat ended Senegal’s bid to secure their first World Cup knockout-stage victory since reaching the quarter-finals on their tournament debut in 2002.
Gueye’s announcement has intensified pressure on Thiaw, whose substitutions while protecting a two-goal advantage have come under heavy criticism from supporters and pundits.
The Senegal coach defended his decisions after the match, insisting the changes were made because of player fatigue.
Thiaw said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
