Patrick Vieira appointed Senegal head coach with AFCON qualifiers looming
Summary
Patrick Vieira has been named the new head coach of Senegal’s national football team. He replaces Pape Thiaw ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers scheduled for late 2026.Key Facts
- Patrick Vieira, born in Dakar, Senegal, played internationally for France and won the 1998 World Cup.
- Vieira replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and controversies around the 2025 AFCON title.
- Senegal’s 2025 AFCON title was stripped and given to Morocco after Senegal players and staff walked off during a game.
- Vieira has coaching experience in Major League Soccer, France’s Ligue 1, and the English Premier League.
- Senegal’s next competitive matches are AFCON qualifiers from September 21 to October 6, 2026, against Mozambique, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
- The Senegalese Football Federation called Vieira’s hiring a strategic move to improve the team’s technical level.
- Senegal is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to regain their 2025 AFCON title.
- An official date for Vieira’s presentation as coach has not yet been announced.
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