Pape Gueye, 27, was a star turn during the 2026 AFCON after scoring the all-important goal against Morocco in the tempestuous finals in Rabat.
The Villareal midfielder scored three goals in the just-ended AFCON, making him, Iddrisa Gana Gueye, and Habib Diarra the most dangerous midfield trio during the tournament in North Africa.
“It’s going to be a good match. They have a lot of talent, but so do we. We’ll fight with our own strengths. I think we can compete with the biggest nations in the world. We can win this kind of match, and I hope we will,” the midfielder said when asked about his opinion in the World Cup game against France
After the AFCON success, the Lions of Teranga of Senegal have switched their attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they have to at least double their efforts to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stage from Group I, where they face 2022 runner-up France and the red-hot Norway.
Senegal will open their campaign at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on June 16th against France. The game promises to be a cagey affair for several reasons.
From football’s perspective, France would want revenge after they were shocked by the then minnows in the 2002 FIFA World Cup at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul in the opening game of the tournament, where the late Bouba Diop’s 30th-minute strike made the difference.
Senegal will face Norway in their second game of the group in Philadelphia before rounding off the group with a fixture against a side to be known after the play-offs.
