6 July 2026 - The first goal of the Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 tournament was scored by Ousmane Bakhayokho, an athlete from Special Olympics Senegal in the opening match against Special Olympics France. Senegal clearly kept control of the game with 14 shots on goal compared to France’s four and 20 total attempts compared to four. However, the French side did complete more passes and fouled less. Ultimately Special Olympics Senegal won the first match of the tournament 6-0.
The early work of Bakhayokho, an 18-year-old midfielder from Kaolack, has come as no surprise to coach Serigne Abdoul Aziz Diop who says Bakhayokho stands out for his calm composure on the pitch, leadership and team spirit. Afterall, the footballer has taken part in five National Football Championships.
The third of five siblings, Bakhayokho joined Special Olympics Senegal in 2015 at the age of 7. He considers Special Olympics Unified Football Cup Paris 2026 to be the crowning achievement of his young career and he’s off to a strong start.
In contrast, the opening women’s match featuring home team France against Special Olympics Cote d’Ivoire was like a tale of two cities. Special Olympics France Unified partner Louana Exilie, scored in the first goal with a smooth lob that hit the top bar before bouncing into the net. It was a good day for the co-captain who, hours before the match, recited the Athlete’s Oath during the tournament’s opening ceremony.
France delivered a commanding performance controlling possession, creating chances and converting opportunities to score. Special Olympics Cote d’Ivoire showed strong resilience particularly in throw-ins (7-3). When the final whistle was blown, France walked away with the win 5-0.
