Everton's Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye featured prominently in Senegal's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against France. The match took place in New Jersey, where a stunning second-half performance from Kylian Mbappe led France to a 3-1 victory. Gana, a veteran midfielder for Everton, played 88 minutes, further extending his record for appearances for the Lions of Teranga. Ndiaye, Gana's teammate at Everton, came off the bench in the final minutes and provided an assist, demonstrating his potential on the international stage. Senegal started strong, creating several chances in the first half, including a shot that hit the post from Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. However, France improved significantly after halftime, with Mbappe scoring to secure the win. Despite the defeat, Senegal will look to bounce back in their next match against Norway as they aim to qualify from Group I.