Pape Gueye has announced that he will no longer represent Senegal while the current coaching staff remains in charge, following the Teranga Lions’ elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the midfielder said he would explain the reasons behind Senegal’s World Cup exit at a later date but confirmed he has decided to step away from the national team under the current technical setup.
“I will come back later to talk about the reasons for the elimination. But today I am announcing that as long as this coaching staff remains in place, I will stop playing for the national team.”
Gueye leaves the tournament as one of Senegal’s standout performers. His defining moment came against Iraq, where he came off the bench in the 56th minute and transformed the game, scoring twice within 15 minutes to inspire a resounding 5-0 victory. His impact earned him the Player of the Match award as Senegal kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. He later retained his place in the starting lineup for the Round of 32 clash against Belgium, underlining his importance to the team.
The midfielder also delivered composed performances in Senegal’s group-stage matches against France and Norway before playing a key role in the dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium.
Earlier this year, Gueye cemented his place in Senegalese football history by scoring the winning goal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, sealing the country’s second continental title. His latest announcement therefore represents a major blow for the Teranga Lions, with one of their most influential midfielders stepping away from international football until there is a change in the national team’s coaching staff.
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