Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced he will not play for the national team while head coach Pape Thiaw and his coaching staff remain in charge.
The 27-year-old made the announcement on social media after Senegal's 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Writing in French, Gueye said he would speak about Senegal's World Cup exit at a later date but confirmed he was stepping away from international football under the current technical team.
"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."
Senegal appeared on course for a place in the quarter-finals after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr handed the Teranga Lions a 2-0 lead.
Belgium, however, fought back through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time. Tielemans then converted a penalty in the 125th minute, awarded following a VAR review, to seal a 3-2 victory.
The defeat ended Senegal's World Cup campaign and denied them a place in the last eight.
Gueye's announcement is expected to increase scrutiny of Thiaw, whose substitutions after Senegal established a two-goal advantage drew criticism.
Speaking after the match, Thiaw defended his decisions, saying the changes were necessary because several players could not continue.
"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.
"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."
