Papa Gueye announces pause in Senegal national team career
Midfielder Papa Gueye has announced he will not play for Senegal as long as Pape Thiaw remains head coach.
Image generated with Gemini
Senegal midfielder Papa Gueye has announced that he is taking a break from international football. The decision comes in the immediate aftermath of Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup following a dramatic defeat to Belgium.
The player stated that he will not represent the national team as long as current head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff remain in charge. Gueye, who was one of Senegal's key performers during the tournament, made his feelings clear through his social media channels.
Tensions appear to have spiked during the match against Belgium, where Senegal held a 2-0 lead before conceding three goals. Gueye was substituted in the 65th minute for Lamine Camara while his side was still winning, a decision he openly criticized after the game as a tactical error by Thiaw.
With Senegal out of the competition, this public standoff creates an immediate dilemma for the Senegalese football federation, which must now decide whether to back the coach or address the concerns of a prominent squad member.