World Cup 2026: Sarr on target again for Senegal; trio get first minutes

First-team

1 day ago

Crystal Palace have a record number of players involved at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – and you can keep track of how they are getting on throughout the tournament here…

The best numbers from Palace's World Cup contingent
The best stats from the first two rounds of games

It’s finally here. The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway on Thursday 11th June, when co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa in the opening game – the first of a record 104 matches at this World Cup, due to the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.

With 13 of our players involved, there’s more scope for Palace-related storylines than at any other major international tournament in history. So here's your Palace guide, which gives you everything you need to know…

How are our players getting on?

Group I

Ismaïla Sarr made history again as Senegal got their first win of the World Cup against Iraq.

The Lions of Teranga recorded the biggest win for an African nation at the finals with a 5-0 victory.

Already a goal up early in the second-half, Sarr got his third goal of the tournament with a close-range finish after Lamine Camara’s cutback. Sarr then got an assist, teeing up a fine finish from Papa Gueye.

Sarr is now Senegal’s leading goalscorer in World Cup history, with four in total, as well as becoming the first player from his country to score and assist in the same match at the Finals.

Senegal will now hope to progress to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams when all groups have concluded.

Earlier, Sarr had already become the first Palace player ever to score a brace in a FIFA World Cup Finals match as he netted twice in Senegal's 3-2 defeat to Norway at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday (22nd) evening.

A trio of Palace players got their first minutes of the World Cup, as already qualified France and Norway met in Boston.

Maxence Lacroix was in defence for the French, while Jørgen Strand Larsen started in attack for Norway to set up a South London duel.

But it was France who won out to top the group, Ousmane Dembele scoring a stunning 32 minute hat-trick.

A fine finish from Thelo Aasgaard got Norway on the scoresheet and Strand Larsen had the chance to narrow the deficit in the second-half.

He was given the penalty after Oscar Bobb was fouled, but saw his effort saved. France then brought on Jean-Philippe Mateta for his World Cup debut in the closing minutes, meaning three Eagles were on the pitch simultaneously.

France added a final goal through Desire Doue to seal a fine win.

Group F

After becoming the first Palace player to score a a non-penalty goal at the World Cup Finals, before then making it two goals from two games against Tunisia, Daichi Kamada wrapped up an impressive group stage campaign for Japan by completing the full 90 minutes as they drew 1-1 with Sweden.

Producing another excellent performance to help his side control the battle for possession, Kamada's teammate Daizen Maeda slid home a well-worked team goal to given them the lead early in the second-half.

But any hopes of finishing top of Group F were ended by Anthony Elanga who equalised for Sweden just after the hour. Kamada's side finished behind the Netherlands in second place and now have a Round of 32 tie against Brazil to look forward to.

Earlier, in the second game against Tunisia, the Palace man rounded off a sweeping team move for the opener in Monterrey just four minutes in, Japan eventually winning 4-0.

Kamada had already scored in a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands when he diverted a flying header from Koki Ogaw into the net to salvage a point with two minutes to play.

Group D

After impressing for USA in their first two games of the group stage Chris Richards was given a rest for their final match against Türkiye.

With the USA already confirmed as Group winners, Mauricio Pochettino opted to rest players, with just three of his starting XI having started a World Cup game previously. This meant the Palace centre-back reverted to the bench.

Richards watched on as a five-goal thriller played out in LA. US defender Auston Trusty opened scoring inside three minutes, but Türkiye turned the game on it's head with two first-half goals.

Sebastian Berhalter, son of former Palace defender and USA international Gregg Berhalter, then levelled just after half-time. But Türkiye, already eliminated from the tournament, snatched the win in the dying moments through Kaan Ayhan.

Although Richards and his teammates lost their unbeaten record, they still finish top of Group D. They can now prepare to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32 of the competition in Santa Clara.

Group D

Chadi Riad completed an impressive group stage as he helped Morocco to qualify for the knockout stage with a 4-2 win over Haiti in Atlanta.

Despite falling behind twice, Morocco twice drew level before Riad helped make the difference in the 78th minute.

The Palace man got his head to a dangerous corner which Soufiane Rahimi controlled, before firing into the back of the net, giving Riad his first assist for the senior national team.

That put Morocco in front and Gessime Yassine added another late on to secure progress to the Round of 32.

Morocco had already taken four points from their opening two games after a narrow win over Scotland on matchday two.

Ismael Saibari smashed home the only goal in the second minute from a tight angle. But with Scotland piling on the pressure in the second-half, Riad and his defensive colleagues held firm to secure a vital victory.

Riad had already excelled in a 1-1 draw against Brazil in the opening round of games.

The 22-year-old completed 35 of his 40 passes, made three clearances and two recoveries, and won both of his ground duels against the Selecao side.

Group K

For the second game in-a-row, Palace's Daniel Muñoz was able to find the breakthrough as Colombia booked their place in the knockout stage with a 1-0 win over DR Congo.

Once again, Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma started for Los Cafeteros in their second game, at the Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico, and both made a big impact.

Muñoz should have netted in the fourth minute, but could only find the side netting after Jhon Arias' shot had been parried into his path.

He then had the ball in the net just two minutes later, after his initial header was saved. However, it was correctly ruled out with Muñoz fractionally offside.

Colombia continued to dominate in the second-half, but as the game approached the final 15 minutes it looked like Congo might frustrate them.

But it was case of third time lucky for the Palace man. Receiving a clever pass from Juan Fernando Quintero, Muñoz's left-footed shot took a minor deflection to find the net.

In doing so he became the second active Palace player to score in multiple World Cup games at the same finals.

That was enough for the Colombians. Both Palace men completed the full 90 minutes with their team on course to finish top of Group K. They will do so as long as they avoid defeat to Portugal in their final game.

Colombia had already thrashed Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening group game.

With the game level five minutes before the break, former Liverpool man Luis Diaz played a wonderful pass behind the Uzbekistan defence. Muñoz had timed his run to perfection and connected with a superb volley at full stretch to open the scoring.

A simply stunning strike, and on his World Cup debut no less.

Uzbekistan did later equalise in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullaev's close-range header. But Colombia quickly responded through Diaz.

Substitute Jaminton Campaz headed in a third goal late on as both Lerma and Muñoz completed the full 90 minutes.

Group H

Already through to the next round, Spain were back in action against Uruguay with Yéremy Pino coming off the bench for the second game in a row.

Pino replaced Alex Baena in the 66th minute, with Baena having earlier scored to put the 2010 winners in front.

Spain continued to control the game, with Pino looking lively, although they were unable to add a second goal despite hitting the woodwork through Ferran Torres.

Uruguay suffered a late red card as La Roja comfortably held on to finish Group H in top spot with seven points.

Pino had made his World Cup Finals debut as a second-half substitute in their 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on matchday two.

The Palace No. 10 entered the fray at half-time as a replacement for Lamine Yamal, with La Roja already three goals to the good in Atlanta, and helped force an own-goal from Hassan Altambakti four minutes later.

Pino was on the bench for their opening game, a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.

Group L

England got off to a winning start as they saw off Croatia 4-2 in a thriller in Dallas on Wednesday (17th), with Harry Kane (2), Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford getting the goals.

Palace skipper Dean Henderson remained an unused substitute as his team produced an excellent display.

The Three Lions were then held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana in their second game in Boston, despite creating the better chances. Henderson watched on from the bench for the second successive game.

Despite the draw, they remain top of Group L.

England next face Panama on Saturday evening where they will aim to qualify as group winners.

Group E

Evann Guessand's World Cup will continue after Ivory Coast secured a place in the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

After making his first appearance at the World Cup Finals on Saturday (20th), as his team were edged out by Germany in Toronto, Guessand was on the bench for their decisive game against debutants Curacao.

This time he remained an unused substitute, with former Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe taking a starring role, scoring twice for the African nation either side of half-time.

That means Ivory Coast finished second in the group. A meeting with the runner-up from Group I awaits them in the last 32.

In the earlier game against Germany, Guessand watched on from the bench in the first-half as his teammates put in a superb performance, taking the lead through captain Franck Kessie in the 30th minute.

But Die Mannschaft would hit back after the break with substitute Deniz Undav levelling. Guessand was then introduced in the 75th minute and, playing in a central role, the forward was involved as the Ivory Coast did create a number of good opportunities.

But they were unable to take them and suffered heartbreak in injury time with Undav produced a smart finish to win the game.

Group B

Owen Goodman's Canada qualified for the knockout stage at a World Cup for the first time after they finished second in Group B.

This was despite the Canadians suffering a first defeat of the Finals, going down to 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group game.

Goodman was on the bench for a third game in-a-row, and saw his country trail 2-0 thanks to goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi. Fellow substitute Promise David halved the deficit with a stunning finish, but Canada couldn't find an equaliser.

A excellent 6-0 win over Qatar on matchday two, meant they finished above Bosnia (also finishing with four points) to claim second spot. That means next up for Canada and Goodman is a Round of 32 tie against South Africa in LA on Sunday (20:00 BST).

What is the format?

For the first time in history, the World Cup will be contested by 48 teams. The expansion is helped by a record 16 venues, with USA, Mexico and Canada sharing co-host duties.

11 cities from USA will host matches, three from Mexico and two from Canada.

The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new round of 32.

From that point on it is straight knockout.

From the quarter-final stage onwards the US hosts every game, with the Final taking place in New Jersey/New York Stadium, normally known as MetLife Stadium, on Sunday, 19th July.

Which Groups feature Palace players?

Nine of the twelve groups contain nations that have Palace players in their squads.

Groups B, C, D, E, F, H, I, K, and finally L, are all ones to watch.

Group B

Co-hosts Canada are in Group B who have included Palace ‘keeper Owen Goodman in their final squad.

Goodman is yet to play at senior level for his country, who face Bosnia, Qatar and Switzerland.

With third place potentially progressing, the co-hosts will be looking to reach the knockout round for the first time.

Group C

Chadi Riad and Morocco can be found in an intriguing looking Group C, alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

The reigning AFCON champions have a tough looking first fixture against the five-time winners.

But after reaching the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago, Morocco will be looking for another deep run.

Group D

Chris Richards will have the chance to play for his country on home soil at a World Cup, with USA drawn in Group D at the Finals.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be aiming to match their run to the last eight in 2002 with the home advantage and will start off by meeting Paraguay in their first game in New Jersey.

They then face Australia and Türkiye to round out the group stage.

Group E

Here is where we find Ivory Coast and Palace’s on-loan forward Evann Guessand.

Guessand’s team open up against Ecuador, before then facing four-time winners Germany.

They close out against tournament debutants Curacao in Philadelphia.