Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced he is stepping away from international football until there is a change in the national team’s coaching staff, deepening the crisis following the Lions of Teranga’s dramatic FIFA World Cup elimination.
The Villarreal midfielder made the decision after Senegal surrendered a two-goal advantage against Belgium in the Round of 32. Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr had put the African side in control before late strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans forced extra time. Belgium completed the comeback when Tielemans converted a controversial penalty in the 125th minute to seal a 3-2 victory.
Gueye started the match but was substituted in the 66th minute for Lamine Camara. Hours after the defeat, the 27-year-old revealed on social media that he would no longer make himself available for Senegal while the current technical team remains in place.
The midfielder has earned 45 international caps since making his debut and scored twice during Senegal’s emphatic group-stage victory over Iraq at the tournament. His decision represents a significant setback for the national team ahead of future international competitions.
Pressure is expected to increase on head coach Pape Thiaw, who has led Senegal since December 2024. His tenure has already been overshadowed by controversy following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
That match descended into chaos when Senegal briefly walked off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. Although the players later returned and Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal in extra time, the Confederation of African Football later overturned the result, awarding the title to Morocco after ruling that Senegal’s walk-off breached competition regulations. Senegal have since appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Gueye’s announcement has intensified scrutiny of Senegal’s coaching setup, with frustration among supporters also growing after the team’s World Cup exit. Reports suggest calls for changes to the technical staff have gathered momentum in the aftermath of the defeat to Belgium.
Whether Gueye returns to international football will now depend on developments within the Senegal Football Federation, but his decision represents one of the biggest consequences yet of the country’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
