France face Senegal in World Cup 2026 opener: Mbappe and squad take the field
Alexander Hoad / Al Jazeera English
Two-time world champions France begin their Group I campaign against Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, a match evoking memories of 2002 when Senegal stunned the defending champions. Didier Deschamps aims to end his 14-year tenure with a third World Cup title, while Senegal hope to spring another surprise.
The 2026 World Cup officially kicks off with 13 different kick-off times. For exact local schedules, fans can consult the Al Jazeera Sport widget.
Match details: France vs Senegal.
Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group I.
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, USA.
Time: Tuesday, June 16, 15:00 local (19:00 GMT).
Follow: Live updates on Al Jazeera Sport.
This is the most memorable World Cup clash between the two sides, holding bitter memories for Les Bleus. In 2002 in Seoul, Senegal – a World Cup debutant – shocked defending champions France 1-0 thanks to a goal from Papa Bouba Diop. That victory unfolded with current Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw on the bench.
This is only the second meeting between the teams, and if Senegal repeats the feat, it would be more than just a new shock: it would carry special meaning for 10 Senegal players born in France.
Deschamps eyes golden finale
Spain may be the favourite for the 2026 World Cup, but is any side more consistent or talented than France? Didier Deschamps will end his glorious 14-year tenure as head coach by leading Les Bleus to a third world title.
Deschamps lifted the trophy as captain in 1998, then guided the team to the cup in Russia in 2018. Only a penalty shootout loss to Argentina in the 2022 final stopped him from becoming the second coach to win two World Cups. His contract expires in July, with Zinedine Zidane waiting. Deschamps wants to leave at the peak, reaching a third consecutive final in East Rutherford on July 19. Three more wins would make him the most successful World Cup coach in history with 17 wins at the tournament.
Despite an unconvincing Euro 2024 – scoring only 4 goals in 6 matches, including a penalty and two own goals, then losing to Spain in the semi-finals – France showed their strength by dropping just 2 points in qualifying. They boast arguably the best attack in the world today with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. Although Mbappe endured an uneven year at Real Madrid, he still scored 42 goals across all competitions and is the top scorer of the last two World Cups (12 goals), including a hat-trick in the 2022 final. He is just one goal shy of Olivier Giroud's record of 57.
Olise shone at Bayern Munich with 26 assists, and after a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast, he scored a hat-trick in the final friendly against Northern Ireland. Dembele averages 1.4 goals and assists per 90 minutes in Ligue 1, helping Paris Saint-Germain win two consecutive Champions League titles.
Senegal seeks deep run
Though not yet recognised as African champions, Senegal are certainly not in the World Cup just to make up numbers. Their AFCON title remains uncertain after the team appealed the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip them of the trophy following a controversial final against Morocco. The team walked off after Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute of stoppage time; Brahim Diaz missed, but Papa Gueye scored the winner. Senegal were later stripped of the title and have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Pape Thiaw and his players are unbeaten in qualifying, winning 7 of 10 matches and conceding just 3 goals. They are confident of springing a surprise, even in a tough group with France, Norway and Iraq. Senegal's last loss in a competitive fixture came against England in the 2022 World Cup round of 16. They have gone 30 matches unbeaten since, though they lost to the USA and drew with Saudi Arabia in friendlies. Their squad features 20 players active in Europe's top five leagues.
France: Both teams are at full strength. Defender William Saliba has returned to training after a back injury in the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG. Jules Kounde has also recovered from a minor knock sustained in the friendly against Northern Ireland.
Senegal: Sadio Mane had a disappointing 2022 World Cup due to injury, but is now ready to start. Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is also optimistic, though he left training early on Saturday.
