Senegal exit sparks petition against Thiaw, Gueye quits

Senegal were knocked out 3-2 by Belgium in the round of 16, sparking a petition against coach Pape Thiaw.

Why did the petition explode?

The petition, launched on Thursday after the match, has already gathered over 58,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. Signatories blame Thiaw for clinging to aging stars like Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly while blocking younger talent. They also condemn a "total inability to read the game" and overly‑late substitutions in the Norway, Iraq and Belgium games.

Which players are withdrawing?

Pape Gueye, Villarreal midfielder, announced on Instagram that he will step away as long as Thiaw's staff remains. "I'll return to speak about the elimination, but while this staff is in charge, I'm taking a pause," he wrote. Gueye had scored two goals against Iraq, Senegal's sole win of the tournament.

What are the implications for the next match?

The coach, appointed in December 2024, now faces a nation disappointed. Critics demand a globally‑renowned manager able to integrate the "golden youth". Senegal's next test will be a rematch with France, who beat them 3-1 on June 16, 2026.

The schedule stays tight, and the future of the technical staff will hinge on supporter reaction and the performance of the young players called to replace the injured veterans.