By Angu Lesley
Football writer kick442.com – Cameroon
Claims circulating on social media that Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has resigned following the Lions of Teranga’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup are false.
The rumour emerged shortly after Senegal’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, 1 July. A fabricated graphic, presented as an official statement from the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), was widely shared online, falsely claiming that Thiaw had stepped down.
However, verification shows that no such announcement has been made. The Senegalese Football Federation has not issued any statement confirming the resignation, and Pape Thiaw remains the head coach of the national team.
Thiaw has enjoyed a rapid rise through Senegal’s coaching ranks. Three years ago, he guided the country’s home-based national team to victory at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a success that earned him promotion to serve as Aliou Cissé’s assistant during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. He was later appointed Senegal’s head coach for the next AFCON campaign, leading the Lions to the final where they defeated hosts Morocco. However, the result was subsequently annulled by CAF’s judicial bodies following controversial incidents surrounding the final.
The false resignation claim surfaced amid growing scrutiny of the coaching staff following Senegal’s painful World Cup exit after surrendering a two-goal lead against Belgium. The situation was further intensified when midfielder Pape Gueye announced that he would suspend his international career for as long as the current technical staff remains in charge. Despite the criticism and speculation surrounding the team’s future, there has been no official confirmation that Thiaw has resigned.
As of Friday, 3 July, Pape Thiaw continues to lead the Lions of Teranga. Any reports claiming he has resigned are false and should be treated as misinformation unless confirmed through official channels.
French 
English