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- France vs Senegal, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané headline historic World Cup reunion after 24 years
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jun 17, 2026, 00:24:25 IST
France and Senegal get their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns underway today in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the opening round, as two nations with a unique World Cup history meet again in Group I at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The matchup immediately evokes memories of one of the greatest upsets in FIFA World Cup history. When these teams last met at the tournament in 2002, World Cup debutants Senegal stunned reigning champions France with a famous 1-0 victory in Seoul. That result remains one of the defining moments in Senegalese football history and helped launch the Lions of Teranga's remarkable run to the quarterfinals.
Twenty-four years later, the stakes are different, but the intrigue remains just as strong. France arrive in the United States as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title. Didier Deschamps' side came within a penalty shootout of retaining the trophy in Qatar four years ago and once again possess one of the deepest squads in international football.
Much of the spotlight will fall on captain Kylian Mbappé, who enters his third FIFA World Cup already established as one of the competition's great performers. The Real Madrid superstar has scored 12 World Cup goals across the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, including a historic hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina. Mbappé also led France's scoring charts during qualification with five goals as Les Bleus finished unbeaten atop UEFA Qualifying Group D, collecting 16 points and recording a commanding 16-4 goal difference.
France's attacking options extend far beyond Mbappé, with Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram and Jean-Philippe Mateta providing additional firepower in a squad widely regarded as one of the strongest at the tournament.
Senegal, however, arrive with ambitions of their own. The African giants navigated qualification unbeaten, winning seven matches and drawing three to secure their place at the World Cup. Veteran captain Sadio Mané remains the team's talisman and all-time leading scorer, bringing 55 international goals and 128 caps into the tournament. Mané scored eight goals across Senegal's qualifying campaign and pre-World Cup friendlies, underlining his continued importance despite now being 34 years old.
Pape Thiaw's side have repeatedly proven they can compete with elite opposition, and with Norway and Iraq also in Group I, both teams know a positive result tonight could provide a major advantage in the race for the knockout stages.
Stay with us for live updates, goals, team news, key moments, reaction and analysis from France vs Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Senegal vs France Live Score: Senegal go bold with attacking 4-3-3 against Mbappé’s France
Senegal have named an ambitious and attack-focused starting XI for their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against France, with Sadio Mané leading a fast and fluid front line designed to exploit space in transition.
Senegal XI: Édouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, Youssouf Sabaly; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr; Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Ismaïla Sarr.
Pape Thiaw sets his side up in a 4-3-3 formation, combining experience and energy across the pitch. The midfield trio of Gueye, Camara and Pape Matar Sarr provides defensive discipline along with forward running support, while Mané, Jackson and Sarr offer pace, movement and direct attacking threat in the final third.
At the back, captain Kalidou Koulibaly anchors a physical and organised defensive unit in front of Édouard Mendy, with Diatta, Niakhaté and Sabaly providing width, structure and resilience against France’s attacking power.
Senegal vs France Live Score: Mané leads fearless Senegal attack in dynamic World Cup XI
France vs Senegal Live Score: France unleash frightening attacking quartet in Mbappé-led XI
France have named a strong and attacking starting XI for their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Senegal, with Kylian Mbappé captaining a side packed with pace, creativity and technical quality in the final third.
France XI: Mike Maignan; Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Lucas Hernández; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise; Kylian Mbappé.
The lineup is set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Tchouaméni and Rabiot providing structure and defensive protection in midfield. Ahead of them, a highly technical attacking trio of Dembélé, Doué and Olise will support Mbappé, who leads the line as the central striker.
France’s approach blends balance and control with serious attacking threat, relying on speed in wide areas and Mbappé’s movement to stretch Senegal’s defence. With a back four of Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba and Hernández, France look well set to play on the front foot from the opening whistle.
France vs Senegal Live Score: France starting XI announced with Mbappé leading devastating attack
France vs Senegal Live Score: Both sides look to extend unbeaten runs in World Cup 2026 Group I opener
France and Senegal both arrive at their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener with strong qualification campaigns behind them. France, led by Kylian Mbappé, finished unbeaten in UEFA Group D with five wins and one draw, scoring 16 goals and conceding just four as they topped their group. Senegal also went unbeaten in qualifying, recording seven wins and three draws to underline their consistency under Pape Thiaw. With both sides in form heading into North America, this Group I clash brings together two confident teams with momentum on their side.
Senegal vs France Live Score: Meet Pape Thiaw, the coach leading the Lions of Teranga's World Cup charge
Senegal arrive at the FIFA World Cup 2026 under the leadership of Pape Thiaw, the former international who has been in charge since 2024. The 45-year-old has quickly established himself as one of Africa's most highly regarded coaches, guiding the Lions of Teranga through an unbeaten qualification campaign that delivered seven wins and three draws. Under his management, Senegal have regained the consistency and defensive discipline that made them one of the continent's strongest sides. Now leading his country into the biggest tournament of his coaching career, Thiaw faces an immediate test against France as he looks to guide Senegal toward another memorable World Cup chapter.
France vs Senegal Live Score: Didier Deschamps begins final World Cup campaign as France manager
France begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with Didier Deschamps leading the national team at a World Cup for the fourth and final time. Appointed in 2012, Deschamps has overseen one of the most successful periods in French football history, guiding Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 final and the Euro 2016 final. His triumph in Russia also placed him among a select group to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager. Having already confirmed he will step down after the tournament, Deschamps enters the competition seeking one final achievement before ending his remarkable tenure.
France vs Senegal Live Score: Can Senegal shock the tournament favourites as they did in 2002?
Senegal enter their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener carrying memories of one of the tournament's greatest shocks. In 2002, the Lions of Teranga stunned defending champions France 1-0 in their first-ever World Cup match, a result that remains one of African football's defining moments. Twenty-four years later, they meet again with Senegal led by Sadio Mané, who finished as the nation's top scorer in qualifying with five goals. Senegal reached the tournament unbeaten, recording seven wins and three draws in 10 qualifiers, and arrive with a fully fit squad hoping to challenge the favourites and produce another statement result on football's biggest stage.
France vs Senegal Live Score: Kylian Mbappé leads tournament favourites into Group I opener
France arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament favourites after cruising through UEFA qualification unbeaten. Didier Deschamps' side topped Group D with five wins and one draw, scoring 16 goals while conceding just four. Led by captain Kylian Mbappé, who scored five goals during qualification, Les Bleus boast one of the deepest squads in international football, with attacking talent spread across Europe's biggest clubs. After reaching the 2022 World Cup final, France enter this campaign determined to take one step further and reclaim the trophy they last won in 2018.
France and Senegal are set to renew one of the most memorable rivalries in FIFA World Cup history when they meet in their Group I opener at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT on June 16 (12:30 AM IST on June 17), with both nations hoping to make an early statement in a group that also includes Norway and Iraq.
The fixture immediately evokes memories of the 2002 World Cup, when tournament debutants Senegal stunned reigning champions France 1-0 in one of the greatest upsets the competition has ever witnessed. Twenty-four years later, the two sides return to the same stage carrying fresh ambitions and impressive qualification records.
France arrive as one of the favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after cruising through UEFA Group D unbeaten. Didier Deschamps' side collected five wins and one draw, scored 16 goals, conceded only four, and sealed qualification with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ukraine. Les Bleus also possess one of the deepest squads in the tournament, featuring stars from Europe's elite clubs and a team that reached the 2022 World Cup final.
Senegal have every reason to feel confident as well. The Lions of Teranga completed their qualifying campaign unbeaten with seven wins and three draws, while scoring consistently throughout the process. Their route to North America reinforced their status as one of Africa's strongest national teams, and they enter the tournament looking to build on previous World Cup successes.
The match also features two of international football's most prolific forwards. France captain Kylian Mbappé scored five goals during qualification and enters his third World Cup with 12 goals already in the competition. Senegal captain Sadio Mané, the nation's all-time leading scorer with 55 international goals and 128 caps, scored seven goals during Senegal's unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign and added another two in pre-tournament friendlies.
With World Cup history, elite attacking talent, unbeaten qualification campaigns and valuable Group I points at stake, France vs Senegal promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round of FIFA World Cup 2026.
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