Pape Gueye Quits Senegal National Team, Blames Coaching Crew

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced that he is stepping away from international football, declaring he will not represent the Teranga Lions again while the current coaching crew remains in charge.

The Villarreal midfielder made the announcement on social media following Senegal’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a match in which the African side surrendered a two-goal lead to crash out of the tournament.

In a strongly worded statement, Gueye wrote: “I’ll come back to speak about our elimination, but today I announce that as long as this technical staff remains, I will take a break from the national team.”

The 27-year-old was one of Senegal’s standout performers at the World Cup, scoring twice during the group stage and playing a key role in the country’s run to the knockout rounds. However, the painful loss to Belgium appears to have intensified frustrations with head coach Pape Thiaw and his technical team.

Gueye’s decision has sparked widespread debate among football fans and pundits, with many questioning the future of Senegal’s coaching staff following the disappointing World Cup exit. As of the time of filing this report, the Senegalese Football Federation has not issued an official response to the midfielder’s announcement.

The development represents a significant setback for Senegal, with Gueye regarded as one of the team’s most influential midfielders ahead of upcoming international competitions.