Senegal found its opening goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup off Ibrahim Mbaye despite losing the match 1-3 to France at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday.
Mbaye made a run down the right flank, cut to the left and shot at goal, which after a touch on Mike Maignan, the French goalkeeper, saw the ball roll into the net.
Mbaye became the youngest African goalscorer at the World Cup at 18 years and 344 days and the second youngest player to score on his debut in the competition, after Spain’s Gavi (18 years and 110 days) in 2022.
Youngest goalscorers from Africa at FIFA World Cups:
| Name | Nationality | Age at time of scoring | FIFA World Cup edition |
| Ibrahim Mbaye | Senegal | 18 years, 4 months and 23 days | 2026 |
| Moussa Waag | Senegal | 19 years, 8 months and 20 days | 2018 |
| Drama Haminu | Ghana | 20 years, 2 months and 21 days | 2006 |
| Julius Aghahowa | Nigeria | 20 years, 3 months and 26 days | 2002 |
| Asamoa Gyan | Ghana | 20 years, 6 months and 26 days | 2006 |
Who is Ibrahim Mbaye, Senegal’s goalscorer against France in the 2026 World Cup?
Ibrahim Mbaye is a forward who plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1. He grew up in the PSG academy and spent seven years there before graduating to the senior side in 2025.
Mbaye has played for France in all age group tournaments. The son of a Moroccan mother and a Senegalese father, he grew up in France but chose to represent the Lions of Teranga instead.
Published on June 17, 2026
