Supporters blame tactical decisions and late substitutions for the Lions of Teranga’s dramatic World Cup exit.

Pressure is mounting on Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw after an online petition calling for his dismissal reportedly attracted more than 30,000 signatures in the aftermath of the Teranga Lions’ dramatic exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The petition, addressed to the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and its executive committee, was launched after Senegal surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in a heartbreaking Round of 32 encounter.

Supporters behind the campaign accuse Thiaw and his technical staff of poor tactical management throughout the tournament, arguing the coaching team relied too heavily on experienced players while failing to give sufficient opportunities to emerging talent.

The petition also criticizes Thiaw’s decisions during the defeat to Belgium, particularly his late substitutions and his failure to use all five available substitutions as Senegal’s players visibly fatigued during the closing stages of the match. Belgium completed its comeback with a 125th-minute penalty, awarded after a VAR review.

The backlash has intensified following midfielder Pape Gueye’s announcement that he is stepping away from international football until the current coaching staff is replaced, a move that has further fueled speculation over Thiaw’s future.

The Senegalese Football Federation has not publicly responded to either the petition or Gueye’s decision, leaving uncertainty over whether changes to the national team’s coaching setup are under consideration.

Senegal entered the tournament as one of Africa’s strongest contenders, but their dramatic collapse against Belgium has sparked widespread debate over the team’s direction, with attention turning to rebuilding ahead of future international competitions.