Match Details
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 PM EAT / 8:00 PM BST
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Capacity: 80,663 spectators
Referee: Alireza Faghani ( From Australia)
France will play Senegal in the Group I opener on June 16 at MetLife Stadium (New York-New Jersey).
France (the 2018 champions) and Senegal face off once again, 24 years after the Senegal national team pulled off one of the greatest shocks in football history by defeating the then-defending World Cup champions (France) 1-0 in 2002.
History Preview and FIFA Ranking
France, the 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up, are ranked 3rd in the world while Senegal is ranked around 15th globally.
The 2002 World Cup opening match, played on May 31, remains Senegal’s only official meeting with France. Senegal, also known as the Lions of Teranga, pulled off a historic 1-0 victory in their World Cup debut that stunned the 1998 champions.
France has 0 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss against Senegal.
Also Read: World Cup Records Set to be Broken in FIFA World Cup 2026
Head Coaches and the Team Squads
France is coached by Didier Deschamps, who led the French team to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and led them to the final again in 2022.
Senegal, on the other hand, is coached by Pape Thiaw, a former Senegalese defender who played for the national team (Senegal) in 2002 and won against France, played for Liverpool, and led the Senegal national team to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The squads are as follows:
France (Les Bleus) national team has the 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 predicted lineup, which includes:
GK: Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
DEF: Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
DEF: William Saliba (Arsenal)
DEF: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
DEF: Theo Hernández (AC Milan)
MID: Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid)
MID: Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan)
ATT: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
ATT: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
ATT: Désiré Doué (PSG)
FWD: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Senegal squad
Senegal ( the Lions of Terranga) national team, on the other hand, has the 4 – 3 – 3 predicted lineup, which includes:
GK: Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli)
DEF: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal)
DEF: Moussa Niakhate (Lyon)
DEF: El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham)
MID: Krépin Diatta (Monaco)
MID: Lamine Camara (Metz)
MID: Habib Diarra (Strasbourg)
MID: Pape Gueye (Vilarreal)
ATT: Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace)
FWD: Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
FWD: Sadio Mané (Al Nassr)
Stars to Watch in the France vs Senegal Match
Kylian Mbappé: The captain entering his third World Cup and strengthening the French attack. He scored a hatrick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina in Qatar and is on his way to dethroning Olivier Giroud as the France all-time top scorer.
Ousmane Dembélé: Ballon d’Or winner with creativity and pace on the France’s wing. Known for his pace and pressing prowess, Ousmane is coming off another successful season with PSG and is expected to complement Mbappe in the French attack.
Theo Hernández: Aggressive full-back who dominates both defense and attack.
Sadio Mané: Senegal’s captain and all-time top scorer for Senegal
Nicolas Jackson: Bayern Munich attacker.
Ismaila Sarr: Crystal Palace speedstar who partners with France’s Jean-Philippe Mateta at club level, well known for his speed.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Explained: How Teams Will Progress Out of the Group Stages in New Format
Group I Composition & Next Matches
Group I includes:
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Iraq
France’s Next Matches:
- June 22: France vs Iraq (Philadelphia)
- June 26: Norway vs France (Boston)
Senegal’s Next Matches:
- June 22: Senegal vs Iraq (New Jersey)
- June 26: Senegal vs Norway (Toronto)
The top two teams from Group I advance to the knockout round
Predictions
France starts as clear favorites due to their strong squad, form, and experience at the highest level, but history shows they have lost three of their last four World Cup matches against African opposition.
However, Senegal have already proven they can shock France on the biggest stage, and their physicality and pace make them a threat.
How to watch
For viewers in Kenya, the match between Kenya will be broadcasted by channels including KBC, Sporty TV (on YouTube), and SuperSport’s channels 201, 202 and 235.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
