The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has chosen Patrick Vieira to lead the Lions of Teranga, but the appointment of the former French international midfielder is stalled by administrative delays. Vieira has returned to France without signing his contract, awaiting the official green light from the Senegalese government.
The national team, eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Belgium on July 1st, currently sits 3rd in their group with 3 points, a record of one win and two losses. The head coach position is therefore officially vacant, despite the announced departure of Pape Thiaw, whose succession has not yet been finalized.
The main obstacle to Patrick Vieira's arrival is an approval procedure required from state authorities. The FSF has made its choice, but the Senegalese government must give its final agreement for the contract to be signed. This wait, described as "interminable", prompted Vieira to return to France. "Dépité par cette attente interminable et ces hésitations administratives," he said.
The Lions of Teranga are coming off a disappointing World Cup campaign. Their last outing, a 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16, sealed their elimination. Over their last five matches, the team shows irregular form with two wins and three losses, having suffered two consecutive defeats. The season's offensive and defensive record shows 8 goals scored and 6 conceded, for a +2 goal difference. These complete statistics are available on our dedicated stats page.
Former head coach Pape Thiaw has been replaced in practice by Patrick Vieira, but his departure has not been officially confirmed by the federation. This grey area contributes to the current haze surrounding the Lions' technical staff. The transition between the two coaches is therefore not clearly established, leaving the team without a designated leader during this period. The current squad composition can be followed via our squad list.
The urgency for the FSF and the state is to unblock the situation to allow Patrick Vieira, if finally confirmed, to begin his work. The national team needs stable leadership to prepare for its future competitions and rebuild after the failure of the 2026 World Cup. The group's world cup standing, viewable in our standings, shows the scale of the task for the future manager. The next official appointment will mark the start of a new cycle for the Lions of Teranga.
