Tournament favorites France are eager to get their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign off to a winning start when they take on Senegal on Tuesday evening in New Jersey.
This is a repeat of their opening match at the 2002 edition where Senegal shocked France with a 1-0 win. That tournament marked Senegal’s best-ever run in the competition as they bowed out in the quarterfinals.
This marks Didier Deschamps’ 20th World Cup game in charge as he looks to equal the record of 25 in this summer’s tournament. France qualified in almost perfect form, winning five games and drawing just once.
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France are also on the verge of equaling history if they can go all the way here – becoming just the third team to make it to three consecutive World Cup finals. They lost 4-2 on post-match penalties to eventual winners Argentina in the last final.
Senegal are also on their own historic path after they qualified for a third successive World Cup, equaling the record among all African nations in the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 World Cup matches, and with the firepower in the French attack, this could prove to be a problem for the AFCON winners.
However, they will find confidence in the fact that France have lost three of their last four matches against African opposition in the World Cup. Will this streak continue for the French, or can they get off to a winning start in Group I?
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We have a look at both teams ahead of the match and offer our predicted outcome.
What time does France vs Senegal start?
The match kicks off at 10PM E.A.T at the MetLife Stadium.
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France vs Senegal team news
The French squad has proved problematic in recent weeks, with no standard starting XI in place. Only Jules Kounde’s fitness is a major concern for them ahead of the mouthwatering clash.
If he is fit, he will start alongside Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Theo Hernandez in the back line. All the defenders will be protecting Mike Maignan in goal.
PSG duo of Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are both expected to start on either flank, providing attacking options to Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe. The French forward is looking to match Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals.
Bayern’s Michael Olise will start as well, with Adrien Rabiot and Ngolo Kante expected to strengthen things in midfield.
The Senegalese have a fully fit squad to choose from and English Premier League trio of Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye will headline the starting XI.
Bayern forward Nicholas Jackson will start up front, with Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane a key component of the Lions attack.
There are no changes expected from the side who started against Saudi in their last friendly prior to the tournament.
France vs Senegal head-to-head and current form
Les Bleus have won four and lost just once in their last five matches. Their most recent match resulted in a convincing 3-1 win against Northern Ireland.
A 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast 10 days ago is their only loss in 13 games.
Meanwhile, Senegal are without a win in their last two outings, losing 3-2 to USA before being held to a barren draw by Saudi Arabia. They have lost just two of their last 14 games.
The 2002 upset remains the only match ever played between these two nations.
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Current form:
France – WLWWW
Senegal – DLWWL
France vs Senegal previous games
- France 0-1 Senegal (May 31, 2002)
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France vs Senegal prediction
It’s been 24 years since the upset, and a lot has changed since. The only constant is that anything can happen in a game of football.
The French do have a more expensive and experienced squad, but the Senegalese have shown their ability to fight through and score despite conceding as well. The only difference we can expect from their previous encounter is goals.
Prediction – Over 1.5 goals
