France and Senegal will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns with a highly anticipated Group I match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. William Saliba, recovering from back pain, will start for France in central defense, while Senegal’s Lamine Camara will feature in midfield. France’s Didier Deschamps has opted for Desire Doue in attack, leaving Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola on the bench. Senegal’s lineup includes Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson up front, with Edouard Mendy in goal.
The match carries historical weight, as Senegal defeated France 1-0 in their opening game of the 2002 World Cup, leading to France’s early exit. Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s coach, was a player on the sidelines during that victory and now leads his team in a rematch. France coach Didier Deschamps dismissed any notion of revenge, stating, 'There’s no revenge in football.'
France, the 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up, are considered strong contenders, with Kylian Mbappé leading their attack. Senegal, meanwhile, aims to build on their strong performances in recent tournaments, including a quarterfinal run in 2002 and a round-of-16 exit in 2022. The match is part of a busy World Cup schedule, with other notable games featuring Argentina and Norway.
The game will be broadcast on Fox and Telemundo in the U.S., with kickoff at noon ET. France’s lineup includes Mike Maignan in goal, Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano in defense, and Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Senegal’s defense features Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhate, with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye in midfield.