TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – France will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Senegal in the opening Group I match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Wednesday, June 17.
While Les Bleus enter the tournament as one of the leading contenders for the title, Senegal arrive carrying memories of one of the World Cup's most memorable upsets.
For Senegal, the match offers an opportunity to revisit their famous victory over France at the 2002 World Cup. In their tournament debut in Seoul, South Korea, the Lions of Teranga stunned the defending champions 1-0 thanks to a goal from Papa Bouba Diop. The defeat ultimately marked the beginning of France's failed title defense.
The circumstances are very different this time. France arrive in the United States as one of the favorites to lift the trophy, trailing only Spain in many pre-tournament assessments. The 2026 World Cup is also expected to be Didier Deschamps' final major tournament as head coach of the French national team.
Deschamps already holds a unique place in football history as the only living person to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. According to Sports Mole, he could also move closer to another milestone in this tournament.
The French manager has recorded 14 victories in World Cup finals matches, just two shy of the record of 16 held by former West Germany coach Helmut Schön.
France Among the Favorites
France enjoyed a dominant qualifying campaign, dropping only two points on their way to securing a place in the World Cup finals for an eighth consecutive tournament. Their consistency on football's biggest stage is reflected in reaching four finals across the last seven editions of the competition.
Although France suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in a friendly on June 4, they responded positively by beating Northern Ireland 3-1. The result continued an impressive attacking run, with Les Bleus scoring at least two goals in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
France's attacking depth remains one of the strongest in the tournament. Captain Kylian Mbappé is expected to lead the line alongside a talented supporting cast that includes Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué.
Mbappé also enters the tournament on the verge of a personal milestone. The Real Madrid forward has scored 56 goals for France and needs just one more to equal Olivier Giroud's all-time national team record of 57 goals.
Senegal Looking to Cause Another Upset
Senegal also arrive in strong form and with growing confidence. According to Sports Mole and Sportskeeda, the Lions of Teranga qualified for the World Cup without losing a single match.
This marks Senegal's third consecutive appearance at the World Cup after reaching the Round of 16 in Qatar in 2022 and competing in the group stage in Russia in 2018.
The current squad remains built around the generation that delivered Senegal's greatest football achievements in recent years, including winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The team continues to be regarded as one of Africa's strongest representatives on the global stage.
Senegal's preparations for the tournament produced mixed results. They secured victories over Peru and Gambia in friendly matches but then suffered a 3-2 defeat to co-hosts the United States before concluding their preparations with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.
Despite failing to score in their final warm-up match, Senegal have remained defensively solid. They have kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches across all competitions, highlighting the defensive organization that has become a hallmark of the team.
Head coach Pape Thiaw also carries personal memories of Senegal's famous victory over France in 2002. He was a member of the squad that stunned Les Bleus in Seoul, although he remained on the bench throughout the match.
Team News
France have received encouraging news ahead of their opening fixture. Arsenal defender William Saliba has returned to full training after recovering from a back problem that had raised concerns following the UEFA Champions League final.
Right-back Jules Koundé has also recovered from a muscle issue sustained during France's 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland and is available for selection.
Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan missed a recent training session as part of a workload-management program. The absence was not injury-related and has not raised concerns within the French camp.
The spotlight will once again be on Mbappé, who is expected to captain the side and spearhead the attack as he chases Giroud's scoring record.
Senegal also have several minor fitness concerns, although none are considered serious. Assane Diao missed an early-week training session because of a bruise, while striker Cherif Ndiaye was absent from training without an official explanation.
Veteran midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye was also managed cautiously and did not complete a full session as a precautionary measure.
However, coach Pape Thiaw is not expected to be without any key players. Nicolas Jackson remains the favorite to start as the central striker despite receiving a red card during a friendly against Saudi Arabia.
Senegal will also welcome back captain Sadio Mané, who missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury. The former Liverpool star is fully fit and expected to play a central role in the team's ambitions.
Predicted Lineups
France: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernández; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé; Ousmane Dembélé.
Coach: Didier Deschamps.
Senegal: Edouard Mendy; Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye; Pape Matar Sarr, Habib Diarra, Sadio Mané; Nicolas Jackson.
Coach: Pape Thiaw.
Prediction
France possess one of the tournament's most dangerous attacking units and enter the match as clear favorites. Their recent matches have consistently produced goals, although they have also shown some defensive vulnerabilities, conceding in five consecutive games.
Senegal have enough quality to make the contest competitive, particularly through the experience of Mané and the pace of Jackson. Their defensive discipline could also frustrate France for long periods.
However, the overall depth of France's squad and the individual quality of players such as Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise should ultimately prove decisive.
Prediction: France 2-1 Senegal.
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