Two-time World Cup champions, France, will approach their Group I opener against Senegal at MetLife Stadium with caution. The last time the two nations met in a World Cup opener back in 2002, defending champions France suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to debutants Senegal and went on to crash out of the tournament without a single win.
Since that setback, France have re-established themselves as a global powerhouse, reaching the finals in the last two editions and lifting the trophy in 2018. They also pushed Argentina to the brink in the 2022 final before losing on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. With a strong, balanced squad led by Kylian Mbappé, France will be determined to avoid past mistakes and begin their campaign on a winning note.
France vs Senegal: Playing XI
France XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembélé, Doué, Mbappé
Senegal XI (4-3-3): Mendy, Diouf, Niakhaté, Koulibaly, Diatta, Gueye, Gueye, Camara, Mané, Jackson, Sarr
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Jun 17, 2026, 12:55 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
21′-Risky back pass from Senegal, Edouard Mendy has to come out from his line.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:54 am IST
First Corner For France
20′-Diouf can’t stop the ball from going behind and France have their first corner of the game.
Olise swings the ball in from the right and the ball bounces behind off Tchouameni for a goal kick.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:53 am IST
Dembele Tries An Attrocious Shot!
18′-Ousmane Dembele tries an atrocious shot from outside the 30-yard box, which ricochets off a Senegalese defender.
On the other end, Ismailia Sarr made a poor long pass on the counter.
END TO END STUFF!
Jun 17, 2026, 12:51 am IST
France Rushing In final Thirds
The French team are rushing at the final third to pass the ball to Mbappe. Something similar which Turkey did in the game against Australia (Guler in that case).
While France looks settled in the back and at the middle of the pitch, Le Bleus need to be composed and clinical in the final third.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:49 am IST
Mbappe Becomes Nervy Early On
France are moving the ball fluidly across the pitch, switching play to stretch Senegal’s shape. Dembélé finds a breakthrough pass into the box for Mbappé, but the captain fails to bring it under control, allowing it to slip away-marking his second heavy touch of the game.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:48 am IST
Koulibally Makes Error In Passing
13′-Koulibaly almost fluffs his lines with a poor pass that Dembele is happy to pick up 35 yards from goal, but his ball through to Mbappe is overhit.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:46 am IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE: Lot of Attacking intent in Senegalese side
10′-Senegal have made a bright and energetic start to the match, immediately showing their attacking intent. With plenty of firepower in their lineup, they’ve already demonstrated their ability to trouble the French defence.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:44 am IST
France Needs To Make Quick Release
France needs to release the ball quick in the final third likt the circulation they are doing in the back of the lineup to avoid Senegal from snatching the ball as the Lions of Tiranga look to bring out their physicality
Jun 17, 2026, 12:41 am IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE
6′-Ismalia Sarr gets a brilliant through ball, but Dayot Upamecano. Both teams are breaking their formation to make a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:38 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
4′- France are setting up a diamond in the middle of the pitch with Saliba at the back. Meanwhile, Mbappe gets a beautiful long ball, only to be defended by a Senegalese defender.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:35 am IST
FRA VS SEN
2′- SENEGAL ON THE ATTACK
The African side get the first corner of the game.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:34 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
0′- Kickoff!
France starts attacking from left to right
Jun 17, 2026, 12:30 am IST
France One Of The Best All-Round Team In FIFA World Cup 2026
France are set up with Kylian Mbappé spearheading the attack, supported by Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué operating on the flanks. Michael Olise takes up the playmaking role just behind the front line, while Adrien Rabiot partners Aurélien Tchouaméni in central midfield. At the back, the defensive unit features Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, and Theo Hernández, with Mike Maignan positioned between the posts.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:24 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
Both teams come out for their respective national anthems. Kickoff to follow soon. Senegal to play in white and green while France in their traditional blue jersey.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:20 am IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE: Empty Seat For French Journalist Imprisoned In Algeria
An empty seat is being reserved in the press box during every France match at the World Cup to draw attention to the case of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is currently imprisoned in Algeria.
Gleizes, who covers African football for Paris-based So Foot magazine, was sentenced in 2025 to seven years in prison on charges of supporting terrorism. French journalists’ unions have since urged Algerian authorities to release him. His mother, Sylvie, has travelled to the World Cup in an effort to raise awareness about his situation.
The symbolic gesture extends beyond the press box, with an empty chair also placed at France’s media conferences. On Monday, journalist Vincent Duluc of L’Equipe posed a question to head coach Didier Deschamps on Gleizes’ behalf. Deschamps responded by expressing hope that Gleizes would soon be free to attend and ask questions himself.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:18 am IST
FRA VS SEN: LINEUPS
France XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembélé, Doué, Mbappé
Senegal XI (4-3-3): Mendy, Diouf, Niakhaté, Koulibaly, Diatta, Gueye, Gueye, Camara, Mané, Jackson, Sarr
Jun 17, 2026, 12:17 am IST
FRA vs SEN: What Happened Last Time Both Sides Met?
The last time France and Senegal met at the World Cup was in the famous match of the 2002 World Cup. The Senegaleseside stunned the defending champions in that game to register a 1-0 victory. France was eventually eliminated in the group stage itself and Senegal went on to reach the quarter finals which was the best performance by any African side before the historic triumph of Morocco in the semifinals.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:06 am IST
Top Senegal Goal Scorers In World Cup
- Papa Bouba Diop – 3 goals
- Henri Camara – 2 goals
- Sadio Mané – 1 goal
- M’Baye Niang – 1 goal
- Moussa Wagué – 1 goal
- Boulaye Dia – 1 goal
- Famara Diédhiou – 1 goal
- Bamba Dieng – 1 goal
- Ismaïla Sarr – 1 goal
Jun 17, 2026, 12:04 am IST
Top French Goal Scorers In World Cup
- Just Fontaine – 13 goals
- Kylian Mbappe – 12 goals
- Thierry Henry – 6 goals
- Zinedine Zidane – 5 goals
- Michel Platini – 5 goals
- Olivier Giroud – 5 goals
- Raymond Kopa – 4 goals
- Dominique Rocheteau – 4 goals
- Antoine Griezmann – 4 goals
Jun 17, 2026, 12:01 am IST
FRA vs SEN: Senegal’s 2025-26 Season
Senegal’s 2025-26 year began on a turbulent note following controversy in the AFCON final, where coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch after a penalty was awarded to Morocco. Although Sadio Mané led the team back, the match was delayed by 16 minutes, and despite Brahim Diaz missing his spot-kick and Pape Gueye scoring in extra time, Senegal were ultimately stripped of the title. With that disappointment still lingering, they arrive as a formidable and emotionally charged opponent for France.
Jun 16, 2026, 11:59 pm IST
France vs Senegal LIVE: Didier Deschamps Starts His Last WC As Head Coach
This World Cup marks the final chapter of Didier Deschamps’ tenure as France head coach, with the 57-year-old set to step down after the tournament. Kylian Mbappé and his teammates will be eager to give him a memorable send-off before Zinedine Zidane is expected to take over the role.
Jun 16, 2026, 11:57 pm IST
FRA vs SEN World Cup LIVE: France World Cup history
- 1930: Group Stage
- 1934: Round of 16
- 1938: Quarterfinals
- 1950: Withdrew
- 1954: Group Stage
- 1958: Third Place
- 1962: Did not qualify
- 1966: Group Stage
- 1970: Did not qualify
- 1974: Did not qualify
- 1978: Group Stage
- 1982: Fourth place
- 1986: Third place
- 1990: Did not qualify
- 1994: Did not qualify
- 1998: CHAMPIONS
- 2002: Group Stage
- 2006: Runners-up
- 2010: Group Stage
- 2014: Quarterfinals
- 2018: CHAMPIONS
- 2022: Runners-up
Jun 16, 2026, 11:57 pm IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE: Senegal’s WC History
- 1930: Did not enter
- 1934: Did not enter
- 1938: Did not enter
- 1950: Did not enter
- 1954: Did not enter
- 1958: Did not enter
- 1962: Did not enter
- 1966: Withdrew
- 1970: Did not qualify
- 1974: Did not qualify
- 1978: Did not qualify
- 1982: Did not qualify
- 1986: Did not qualify
- 1990: Withdrew
- 1994: Did not qualify
- 1998: Did not qualify
- 2002: Quarterfinals
- 2006: Did not qualify
- 2010: Did not qualify
- 2014: Did not qualify
- 2018: Group Stage
- 2022: Round of 16
Story first published: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 23:55 [IST]
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