A look at how Everton's World Cup contingent fared through the tournament
Iliman Ndiaye of Senegal is consoled by former player El Hadji Diouf after the team's defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium. Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Iliman Ndiaye of Senegal is consoled by former player El Hadji Diouf after the team's defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium. Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
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Everton’s four players at the World Cup enjoyed mixed fortunes over the course of the tournament.
Nathan Patterson was the only one to go home after the group stages when his Scotland side failed to progress despite an opening game win over Haiti.
Idrissa Gueye - whose Blues contract expired during the tournament - and Iliman Ndiaye had good moments and were minutes away from the last 16 before a late Belgium comeback. Jordan Pickford, meanwhile, had a rollercoaster experience in England’s run to third place.
And here, the ECHO assesses the tournament of each of their players.
Nathan Patterson 7
Patterson was part of a Scotland squad that left the tournament in disappointment after their collapse against Brazil left the Tartan Army unable to reach the knockout games as one of the best third-placed teams.
For Patterson, this was a positive experience on a personal level. He came on in the win over Haiti and then started against Morocco and Brazil - representing a big step up from the opportunities he was given during the second half of the season at Everton.
He is now able to demonstrate sustained fitness for one of the longest periods since he joined the Blues in January 2022.
Despite Everton being yet to sign the right-back they have made no secret they are searching for - with central midfielder Merlin Rohl starting there against Dundee on Saturday - history suggests Patterson is unlikely to get chances on Merseyside next season.
Against that backdrop - and given that he missed Euro 2024 through injury - this tournament represented further progress in his bid to show he is fit and able to compete at international level, which could well help to attract further interest this summer.
Idrissa Gueye 7
Gueye is no longer an Everton player,something that could yet change but remains unresolved at this stage. This was a World Cup in which he showcased what he can still do at the highest level, something that may bolster his ambitions for the next step in his career.
In many ways, Senegal’s World Cup was underwhelming. They were in the toughest group but would have fancied their chances at doing better to disrupt Norway and France and, while they thumped Iraq to make the knockout stages, their run ended with disappointment as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose to Belgium after extra-time.
Gueye started all four matches as he retained his role as one of Senegal’s most influential figures.
Iliman Ndiaye 5
This was a frustrating World Cup for Ndiaye, who would have hoped to use the tournament as a platform to prove himself as one of the world’s best wingers. Instead, his disappointing end to the season with Everton largely continued into the competition as he struggled for opportunities behind Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr.
He did get his big moment, coming off the bench to score one and set up another in the 5-0 win over Iraq. That earned him a start against Belgium and he was withdrawn with the game seemingly won only for his team-mates to concede two late goals and then lose in extra-time.
There were times during the first half of last season when Ndiaye was one of the most exciting players in the Premier League and his role in Senegal’s success, still disputed, in the Africa Cup of Nations cemented that, but he was unable to carry that momentum into the World Cup.
Jordan Pickford 7
Pickford’s experience at the World Cup was always likely to drive column inches. Once again, his displays were the subject of furious debate and Argentina’s semi-final equaliser has been a major talking point since England’s defeat.
It is fair to say the Everton number one had ups and downs in the US and Mexico. He was perhaps lucky to win a foul rather than concede one in the draw with Ghana when he collided with an attacker outside the box and, while there were plenty of mistakes up the pitch before the ball fell to Brian Cipenga, he will have been frustrated to have conceded at his near post against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He fell victim to a freak goal against Norway but produced one of the greatest tournament displays by an England goalkeeper in the monumental win over Mexico.
The argument over whether he was at fault for Enzo Fernandez’s goal in the semi-final is a non-starter and he had made several important stops before that strike.
Pickford had highs and lows but was not the reason England did not reach the final and did nothing to suggest his role as the Three Lions' number one should be at risk.
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