Gueye’s Everton talks depend on Senegal’s World Cup fate
Idrissa Gueye’s World Cup could determine when Everton resume discussions about his future, turning Senegal’s next match into a deadline of sorts for a club decision. The 36-year-old’s contract expires at the end of June, and Everton have paused talks while he represents his country. If Senegal beat Iraq on Friday and advance as one of the best third-placed teams, negotiations will have to wait; an early exit would put Gueye’s Everton situation back in focus sooner.
That timing matters because the club’s choice is not only about what Gueye has done in the past. Everton will also have to weigh the midfielder’s age and recent contribution against the demands of keeping a player whose international commitments can take him away from the team. The tournament has made that assessment harder to settle quickly. Senegal’s progress could leave little room for a detailed conversation before the contract deadline.
Senegal have lost both of their matches at MetLife Stadium, where Everton played Bournemouth in last year’s Premier League Summer Series. The venue is due to host the World Cup final on July 19, an association that gives the setting a longer tournament horizon even as Senegal’s own route has narrowed. Gueye started both matches there: he played 88 minutes in a 3-1 defeat to France, then completed the full match in a 3-2 loss to Norway.
Against Norway, Gueye appealed for a penalty after a collision with Wolverhampton Wanderers defender David Moller Wolfe. Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio judged the contact accidental, leaving Senegal to continue without the decision Gueye wanted. BBC Sport commentator Jonathan Pearce nevertheless praised him for having “really put in a big shift.” Gueye also raised his Senegal appearance record to 133 caps, a measure of the role he still holds for his country.
Senegal’s attacking efforts haven’t been enough to turn that involvement into points. Ismaila Sarr, who scored 21 goals for Crystal Palace last season, struck twice against Norway, but his goals didn’t prevent defeat. Everton team-mate Iliman Ndiaye stayed on the bench after making a seven-minute appearance against France. Marcus Pedersen scored Norway’s first, and Erling Haaland added two more.
France and Norway now have six points each, leaving Senegal with a narrow route through the group standings. They must beat Iraq, then rely on the results and rankings that determine which eight third-placed teams advance to the last 32. That’s a demanding position: a win is necessary, but it may not be sufficient. The arithmetic will decide whether Gueye’s tournament continues, and with it how soon Everton can return to contract talks.
Ndiaye had predicted Senegal would win the tournament in an interview with SPORTbible published on the day of their opening match: “In my opinion, we are going to win the World Cup. If I didn’t think that, then what’s the point of going?” The confidence is clear; the route forward is much less certain. For a squad now needing both a result and help from the standings, ambition has to give way to the immediate task.
A short contract and a long Everton record
Everton said on June 10 that it was “continuing to liaise with representatives of Idrissa Gana Gueye over his future,” with his deal due to expire at the end of the month. The ECHO understands that talks have been put on hold during the World Cup. That leaves the club waiting on a sporting outcome before it can settle a decision with a fixed contractual deadline.
Gueye signed a one-year contract on July 7 last year, with an option for another season. His 25 appearances in 2025/26 weren’t enough to trigger that extra year, so any extension now depends on a new agreement rather than an automatic continuation. He also missed seven matches while away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, a reminder that international duty has already affected his availability for Everton.
Senegal initially won that tournament, but the decision was later overturned and Morocco were awarded the title. That history adds context to Gueye’s commitment to the national side, while also showing how tournament events can stretch beyond the matches themselves. For Everton, the practical question is more immediate: what role can Gueye fill if he stays, and how does the club value that role against his age and appearances?
The numbers make the decision feel finely balanced. Gueye turns 37 in September, yet he remains a regular for Senegal and has contributed to Everton across two spells. He first joined from Aston Villa a decade ago and has made 236 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals. That’s a substantial record, but a long association doesn’t settle what the next season should look like.
What Gueye’s decision means for Everton
This is more significant than it looks: a short contract can turn a routine squad decision into a question of timing, availability and trust in a player’s continuing value. Everton have to decide whether Gueye’s experience and contribution justify another season, while the player is still occupied with Senegal’s campaign. The World Cup result may affect when they can talk, but it won’t answer the football question for them.
If you’re following Everton’s squad planning, the key detail is that the club hasn’t announced an agreement and the existing option wasn’t triggered by his appearances. The pause means the eventual conversation will take place against a deadline, with Senegal’s progress shaping how much time remains. (And this is the part most people overlook.) A tournament run may be a source of pride for Gueye, but it can also delay clarity for both sides.
There’s no simple reading of his age or his record. Everton can point to 236 appearances and a player who remains important to Senegal; they can also consider that he’ll be 37 in September and has missed club matches during international duty. Those facts pull in different directions. The club’s decision will depend on how it sees his contribution fitting into the squad, not on his history alone.
For now, the immediate sequence is plain: Senegal need to beat Iraq and qualify, while Everton wait to restart discussions. An early exit would bring Gueye’s future into focus sooner; progression would extend the wait. A decision still to come.
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