Senegal’s Sadio Mané and France’s Kylian Mbappé will both be available for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, dispelling recent rumours of suspensions due to yellow cards.
Concerns had circulated that the two stars might miss the highly anticipated clash because of accumulated bookings during World Cup qualifying.
However, FIFA regulations confirm that yellow cards received in qualifying games do not carry over to the first match of the tournament.
Sadio Mané, who played every minute of Senegal’s ten qualifying matches, received only two yellow cards.
His first booking came in the 14th minute of the first leg against Sudan, and his second during the 10th-round match against Mauritania in the 90th minute.
“Aside from the obvious impossibility of suspension given the number and frequency of yellow cards,” FIFA rules make clear that Mané remains eligible, the Senegalese Football Federation confirmed.
Similarly, Kylian Mbappé, France’s star forward, received a single yellow card in six qualifying matches, booked in the 92nd minute of France’s second-round fixture against Iceland.
Like Mané, the Real Madrid striker is fully available for the opening game in North America.
The confirmation is expected to reassure both sets of fans ahead of the high-profile Group stage opener, where Senegal and France will face off in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Both players are key figures for their nations, and their participation ensures the match will feature two of world football’s most prominent talents.
FIFA’s clarification also underscores the tournament’s disciplinary rules, designed to prevent suspensions from affecting players based on qualifying match incidents.
