Senegal's Football Federation Blames Thiaw's Hefty Pay Demands for World Cup Collapse

On Monday, the president of the Senegalese football federation, Abdoulaye Fall, revealed that the national team was plagued by toxicity at the World Cup, sparked by coach Pape Thiaw's demand for a salary increase.

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Thiaw's tenure came to an abrupt end on Sunday, following the team's elimination from the World Cup in the last 32 by Belgium on July 1, with Fall citing a breakdown in trust between the coach and the federation.

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Pape Thiaw, a 45-year-old former Senegal international, had been at the helm of the national team since 2024, and prior to the World Cup, he had requested a pay rise from 20 million CFA ($35,000) per month to 50 million CFA ($87,000).

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A compromise was eventually reached, with Thiaw's salary being set at 30,000 CFA during the World Cup, and other disputes, including bonuses, were also resolved.

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According to Fall, Thiaw had threatened to boycott the World Cup if his demands were not met, but was persuaded to change his mind by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on the day of the team's departure for the United States.

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The contract was finally signed on the eve of Senegal's second game in the tournament, against Norway, after Thiaw refused to take his place in the dugout until the agreement was finalized.

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Fall stated that Thiaw believed federation officials were working against him, which had a negative impact on the team's operations, and this perceived animosity contributed to the toxic atmosphere surrounding the team.

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During the World Cup, the Lions of Teranga suffered defeats to France and Norway in the group stage, before securing a 5–0 victory over Iraq to advance to the knockout rounds.

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Under Thiaw's leadership, Senegal had won the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, but was later stripped of the title as punishment for walking off the pitch during the chaotic final against Morocco.