France vs Senegal: World Cup 2026 prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Les Bleus will hope to banish demons of their shock defeat in 2002 tournament opener

At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, holders France were drawn in a group alongside Senegal, Denmark and Uruguay, and entered the tournament as strong favourites after winning the 1998 edition, plus Euro 2000.

France’s opening game was against tournament debutants Senegal in Seoul. To many, it was a foregone conclusion. But Senegal had other ideas, winning 1-0 thanks to the late Papa Bouba Diop’s goal.

Senegal’s victory sent shockwaves around the footballing world and also helped send France home early. Senegal were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals, while Les Bleus, winless, were eliminated bottom of their group.

Senegal have made the previous two World Cups, reaching the last 16 in 2022, while becoming the first team to be eliminated by fair play rules, after accumulating more yellow cards than group rivals Japan after the teams finished level.

France are tournament favourites this time around, while Senegal won this year’s Africa Cup of Nations before being controversially stripped of their title - a decision they are appealing.

The Lions of Teranga have Sadio Mane and a whole host of Premier League talents including Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye, but France’s attacking array of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise will surely be too much for their defence.

Date, kick-off time and venue

France vs Senegal is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Tuesday June 16, 2026.

The match will take place at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford.

Where to watch France vs Senegal for FREE

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7.30pm BST.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel and website, along with the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and ITVX website and app.

France vs Senegal team news

France have no current injury issues, after Arsenal centre-back William Saliba resumed training over the weekend following a recurring back issue.

Mbappe is heading into a third World Cup and his second as captain after a season with Real Madrid where he scored 42 goals, but failed to win any trophies for the second season in a row.

He will lead the frontline alongside Bayern Munich’s Olise and Ballon d’Or winner Dembele, both fresh off excellent club seasons.

Playing it cool: Kylian Mbappe is France’s captain and talisman

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France squad

Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba, Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, N'Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery, Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram

Senegal’s attack is their real strength, with Ismaila Sarr and Ndiaye both likely to cause problems to France’s defence. Nicolas Jackson, coming off a season playing second fiddle to Harry Kane at Bayern, will likely lead the line.

Idrissa Gana Gueye, 36, is still a key part of their midfield, while Pape Matar Sarr is coming off a difficult season at Tottenham.

Leader: Sadio Mane will hope to guide Senegal to a strong World Cup campaign

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Senegal squad

Mory Diaw, Yehvann Diouf, Edouard Mendy, Ilay Camara, Krepin Diatta, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Ismail Jakobs, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moustapha Mbow, Antoine Mendy, Moussa Niakhate, Mamadou Sarr, Abdoulaye Seck, Lamine Camara, Pathe Ciss, Habib Diarra, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, Assane Diao, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane, Ibrahim Mbaye, Cherif Ndiaye, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr

France vs Senegal prediction

France are strong favourites for a reason here, despite Senegal’s storied history in this fixture.

I expect Mbappe to make a fast start and show new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho that he remains at the peak of his powers.

France to win, 3-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Senegal’s win over France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup is their only previous competitive meeting, with the previous two being amateur friendlies in the 1950s and 60s.

France wins: 1

Senegal wins: 2

Draws: 0

France vs Senegal match odds

France to win: 2/5

Senegal to win: 11/2

Draw: 16/5

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