France and Senegal square off at the New York New Jersey Stadium in their opening Group I fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The French are considered the favourites to go all the way, while the Teranga Lions are seen as one of the dark horses.
Both teams are showing good form at the moment, and given the quality in attack, I expect goals in this one.
Key Stats
- France have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- France have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions.
- Senegal have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Senegal have failed to keep a clean sheet in two of their last three matches in all competitions.
Senegal's Historic Win
The only previous meeting between Senegal and France came in the opening fixture of the 2002 World Cup, with the Teranga Lions shocking the then-reigning champions with a 1-0 victory.
Favourites Keen for Positive Start
France reached the final of the last two World Cups and come into this year's tournament as the favourites. Qualification was a breeze as Didier Deschamps' men went unbeaten, picking up five wins and a draw from six matches.
The build-up to the Mundial has been solid for Les Bleus, who are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, claiming a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their final warm-up fixture. Their only defeat in this run came against another West African side, falling 2-1 to the Ivory Coast.
One of the reasons France are considered favourites is their stacked attack, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise all in impressive form. They have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions, but failed to keep a clean sheet in the last five fixtures in this run.
One of Africa's Lights
Senegal are one of Africa's biggest prospects at the World Cup and boast the quality for a deep run this year. They were also unbeaten in the qualifiers, claiming seven wins and three draws from 10 matches.
The Teranga Lions had mixed preparations for the tournament, claiming wins over Peru and Gambia before dropping off a little. Pape Thiaw's team suffered a 3-2 defeat to the USA and played out a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in their final pre-tournament fixture.
With the likes of Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson, Senegal also have quality going forward, scoring in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in two of the last three fixtures in this run.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele; Kylian Mbappe.
France have no injuries or suspensions heading into this clash and could stick with the team that beat Northern Ireland. Mbappe should lead the line, with support from Olise, who scored a hat-trick in that clash, while Upamecano and Saliba are set to continue in defence.
Senegal (4-2-3-1): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Ismail Jakobs; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mane; Cherif Ndiaye.
Senegal have a fully fit squad heading into their Group I opener. Mane and Ndiaye should continue in attack, having started against Saudi Arabia, while Koulibaly and Jakobs are set to earn a start after coming off the bench in that clash.