[Recap] Pape Guèye, visas, tactics and the Metsu effect: Everything about Pape Thiaw's press conference

On the eve of the highly anticipated match between Senegal and France for their opening game in the World Cup, national coach Pape Thiaw faced journalists on Monday, June 15, 2026, for the traditional pre-match press conference. Between fond memories, expressions of confidence, and addressing off-field issues, the Lions' coach covered all the hot topics just hours before kickoff scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The infirmary is empty, and tough choices have to be made.

Pape Thiaw began his address by delivering excellent news regarding the fitness of his squad, confirming that he is approaching this first major match with a full and fully mobilized roster. "My entire squad is available. Now, it's up to me and my staff to make the selections. The team spirit is excellent. These are competitive players. I, too, am a coach who loves competition and difficult challenges. That's what makes our profession so beautiful," the coach declared, assuring everyone that his group is ready to take on the challenge with determination.

"We'll see the real version of Senegal."

When questioned about the national team's recent performances, the coach reassured observers, emphasizing that the friendly matches and various preparation phases were solely aimed at fine-tuning team cohesion and ensuring everyone reached the same physical level. "I understand that perceptions might differ between the Senegal of the AFCON and the Senegal of the friendlies. But for me, friendlies are primarily about preparing the team. We also had players who lacked playing time, so we focused on getting them back up to speed," he explained, before making a clear promise: "Tomorrow, I think we'll see the real Senegal."

A heartfelt tribute to Pape Guèye

The national team coach made no secret of his admiration for midfielder Pape Gueye, recently crowned the best African player in La Liga after a remarkable season. "Pape Gueye is a very important player in our system, like all the other players. I first want to publicly congratulate him on winning the trophy for best African player in La Liga. It's not easy at all in such a prestigious league," emphasized Pape Thiaw, also recalling the player's historic contribution: "He's an important player. He scored the winning goal in the AFCON final. He's a hard worker, a player who shows great promise and who keeps improving. His quality is undeniable. But a World Cup is a major competition, and it's in these kinds of events that we expect great players like Pape Gueye to shine."

The legacy of 2002: the shadow of Papa Bouba Diop and the Bruno Metsu effect

A former international and member of the 2002 squad, where Senegal defeated France (1-0) in the opening match, Pape Thiaw couldn't escape historical comparisons. He also paid a particularly moving tribute to Bruno Metsu, a prominent figure in Senegalese football and coach of the legendary Seoul generation. "Bruno was like a father to me, he was my mentor. May he rest in peace. We learned so much from him and took so much from him," said Pape Thiaw emotionally, before announcing that this spiritual legacy would be central to his pre-match talk: "There will be a bit of the Bruno effect in the speech tomorrow, because it's important."

The coach reflected on the journey he's made and the difference in responsibility between his past as a player and his current role as leader of the Lions. "I was fortunate enough to be there in 2002 for our victory against France, thanks to a goal from my brother, may he rest in peace, Papa Bouba Diop. It's a unique situation. In 2002, I didn't play in the match, and tomorrow I'll be on the bench with the responsibility of providing the keys to victory. Today, and tomorrow, God willing, I'll be on the bench coaching my team and striving for another victory. We play every match to win, and we prepare for them in the same way," he explained, clarifying his approach: "I'm going to add my own approach, also incorporating elements from Bruno Metsu, to try and achieve that victory."

The rejection of the inferiority complex

Acknowledging the value of Les Bleus, finalists in the last two World Cups and champions in 2018, he nevertheless dismissed the idea that a Senegalese victory in 2026 would be an upset or a surprise. “France is a great team, with very high-level individual players. Their performance in recent World Cups speaks for itself. We will be facing a great French team with some very talented individuals, but our strength lies in our collective play, and that's what we will rely on,” he analyzed, before adding firmly: “For me, it wouldn't be a surprise to win. We have world-class players in this team, and we are the African champions. We have qualified for three consecutive World Cups and we have reached three AFCON finals in the last four editions. This shows the consistency of this team. All the teams here have worked hard to qualify. No one is here by chance.”

Pape Thiaw, however, emphasized the necessary balance his men must maintain on the pitch: “We are very ambitious, but not presumptuous. We know we can beat any team, just as we know we can lose to anyone if we don't do things correctly. A good start to a World Cup is always important. That's what we'll be aiming for in this first match.”

The visa evasion and the appeal to the American diaspora

When questioned by journalists about the contentious off-field issue surrounding the match—namely, the situation of the many Senegalese fans denied visas and unable to travel to the United States to support the Lions—the coach preferred to sidestep the question to protect his team, while still expressing his regret. "It's a somewhat political issue. I prefer to talk about what happens on the pitch," he stated initially, before adding: "We would have liked to have our fans. We know what they can bring to the team, especially in difficult times, to help us get back on our feet."

The coach, however, is particularly confident about the reception awaiting his team at the stadium, counting on the large Senegalese community in the United States to act as their twelfth man. "Even if we don't have fans from Senegal, we have a large community here. Senegalese people love their country and their team. You'll see tomorrow, it will feel like they're right there with us. God willing, the fans will be behind us, and we hope to finish the match with a sense of satisfaction," he concluded.

As a reminder, after this clash against the French team, the Lions of Teranga will continue their adventure in Group F by successively facing Norway and Iraq, two opponents that Pape Thiaw described as complicated and that he promises to approach with the same seriousness.