Mbaye becomes youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history at 18

Ibrahim Mbaye scored a historic goal in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal at the 2026 World Cup, becoming at 18 years and 142 days the youngest African goalscorer in the competition’s history.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker, brought on in the second half by the national team coach, made the most of his appearance to reduce the deficit before Kylian Mbappé sealed the French victory with a decisive strike. With his goal, Mbaye surpasses continental references such as Samuel Eto’o and Julius Aghahowa, who reached this stage of the tournament at a more advanced age.

In the global ranking of youngest World Cup goalscorers, the player from the Île-de-France region ranks fourth, behind Pelé, Manuel Rosas and Gavi, but ahead of Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Mbappé himself.

The latter continued his statistical rise at the World Cup by scoring a brace against Senegal. Already France’s all-time leading goalscorer, he now has 14 World Cup goals to his name and is closing in on the all-time record held by German Miroslav Klose.