Senegal fired coach Pap Bouna Tiaw following the team's disappointing performance at the World Cup.

The African champions lost their first two group stage matches to France and Norway, and in the round of 32, they squandered a 2-0 lead in the final five minutes against Belgium before ultimately losing 3-2 in extra time.

The 45-year-old Tiao was set to serve a five-match suspension starting in September, at the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, because he led his players off the field in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco during the final in Rabat at the Africa Cup of Nations

The French newspaper “L’Equipe” reported that Patrick Vieira, the former World Cup champion with France but born in Dakar, is among the favorites to take over as head coach. The Arsenal legend has not worked as a coach since leaving Genoa in November 2025.

*photo source: AP