France 2-1 Senegal? Why Les Bleus Will Exorcise Their 2002 Ghosts in the World Cup Opener

France begin their title bid tonight against the side that humiliated them in 2002, in the opening match of Group I at MetLife Stadium. Here is everything you need to know before kickoff.

France begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign tonight against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff at 3:00 PM ET (19:00 GMT). It is the opening fixture of Group I, and it carries history. The only previous meeting between these nations came at the 2002 World Cup, when tournament debutants Senegal stunned the defending champions 1-0 through Papa Bouba Diop. Senegal’s current head coach, Pape Thiaw, was in that 2002 squad.

For France, this is the start of Didier Deschamps’ final tournament in charge after 14 years. Les Bleus arrive as the world’s top-ranked side and back-to-back finalists, chasing a third star.

Team News

France received a late scare when William Saliba aggravated a back injury in the Champions League final, but the Arsenal defender has returned to full training and is available. Jules Koundé has also shaken off a knock picked up in the warm-up win over Northern Ireland. Deschamps’ side is effectively at full strength.

Senegal have minor bumps but no major concerns. Assane Diao missed a session earlier in the week with a contusion, Chérif Ndiaye was absent on Saturday, and Idrissa Gueye was managed carefully as a precaution. All three are expected to be available.

Projected Lineups

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernández; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Olise, Mbappé, Dembélé; Mateta

Senegal (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Diouf; H. Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; I. Ndiaye, Jackson, Mané

Players to Watch

France

• Kylian Mbappé. Captain in his third World Cup, with 12 goals at the finals already and Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 within reach. His pace in behind is Senegal’s biggest threat to contain.
• Ousmane Dembélé. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner gives France an unpredictable edge on the flanks.
• Mike Maignan and the back line. Saliba and Upamecano form one of the tournament’s most physically dominant central pairings.

Senegal

• Sadio Mané. The 34-year-old talisman and all-time top scorer (55 goals) has confirmed this is his last World Cup. Named player of the tournament at AFCON 2025, his big-game instinct remains world class even if his pace has dipped.
• Nicolas Jackson. The quick, physical Bayern Munich striker leads the line and gets into dangerous positions.
• Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Matar Sarr. Crystal Palace’s in-form winger and Tottenham’s dynamic midfielder give the Lions of Teranga genuine quality and legs.

Prediction

France enter as clear favourites, priced around -245 by major books, with Senegal out near +550 and the draw at +320. On paper the gap in depth is enormous, and a fully fit French defence makes a repeat of 2002 a tall order.

That said, Senegal are physical, well-organised, unbeaten through African qualifying, and motivated by both the occasion and the memory of Seoul. Expect them to sit compact and threaten on the counter through Jackson and Mané. The likeliest outcome is a controlled French win, with Mbappé and Dembélé eventually finding the breakthrough.

Prediction: France 2-1 Senegal

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