Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced an indefinite break from international football following the Teranga Lions' heartbreaking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, blaming the team's current coaching crew for his decision.
The 27-year-old said he would not return to the national team for as long as head coach Pape Thiaw and his technical staff remain in charge.
Gueye made the announcement in a post on social media shortly after Senegal surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in their Round of 32 clash.
Writing in French, the midfielder said he would later speak in detail about Senegal's World Cup exit but stressed that his decision regarding the national team was final for now.
"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," he wrote.
Senegal looked set to reach the Round of 16 after racing into a 2-0 first-half lead through goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr.
However, Belgium mounted a remarkable comeback, with substitute Romelu Lukaku pulling one back before Youri Tielemans equalised late in normal time to send the contest into extra time.
Just as the match appeared destined for a penalty shootout, Belgium were awarded a spot-kick in the 125th minute following a VAR review. Tielemans converted from the penalty spot to complete a dramatic 3-2 victory and end Senegal's World Cup campaign.
The defeat denied the African champions a chance to record their first knockout-stage victory since reaching the quarter-finals on their World Cup debut in 2002.
Gueye's announcement has intensified pressure on Thiaw, whose substitutions while protecting a two-goal advantage have been heavily criticised by supporters and football analysts.
Defending his decisions after the match, the Senegal coach insisted the changes were forced by player fatigue rather than tactical errors.
"They were tired and couldn't continue. Leaving them on the field would have been unprofessional on our part. We had to replace them like for like," Thiaw said.
"Of course, when you lose a match after leading 2-0, people will talk about the substitutions. But you can't reduce everything to that. These changes were dictated primarily by fatigue rather than tactical considerations."
England, Belgium and USA progress
Elsewhere, England came from behind to defeat DR Congo 2-1 and secure a place in the Round of 16.
Brian Cipenga stunned the Three Lions with an early opener in the seventh minute before captain Harry Kane rescued England with two late goals. Kane equalised in the 75th minute from an Anthony Gordon cross before firing home the winner four minutes from time after being set up by Jude Bellingham.
The United States also advanced after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Folarin Balogun gave the Americans the lead in first-half stoppage time with a finish from Christian Pulisic's assist, while Malik Tillman sealed victory in the 82nd minute with a superb direct free-kick.
Belgium will now face the United States in the Round of 16, while England also progress to the next phase as the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title gathers momentum.
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