Two-time World Cup champions, France, will approach their Group I opener against Senegal at MetLife Stadium with caution. The last time the two nations met in a World Cup opener back in 2002, defending champions France suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to debutants Senegal and went on to crash out of the tournament without a single win.
Since that setback, France have re-established themselves as a global powerhouse, reaching the finals in the last two editions and lifting the trophy in 2018. They also pushed Argentina to the brink in the 2022 final before losing on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. With a strong, balanced squad led by Kylian Mbappé, France will be determined to avoid past mistakes and begin their campaign on a winning note.
France vs Senegal: Playing XI
France XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembélé, Doué, Mbappé
Senegal XI (4-3-3): Mendy, Diouf, Niakhaté, Koulibaly, Diatta, Gueye, Gueye, Camara, Mané, Jackson, Sarr
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Jun 17, 2026, 1:24 am IST
WIDE FROM KOUNDE!!
45+4′-Kounde takes it on down the right and wants to whip one in, but Mbappe is his only option — and it’s well over and beyond the Real Madrid man.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:23 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
45+3′-Senegal has looked to exploit the right-hand side of the pitch with Ismailia Sarr going up with the ball in a dangerous attacking intent. However, so far he has been shut down by the defensive duo of Upamecano and Saliba.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:21 am IST
No Linkage In The Final Third
France is having a tough time in the final third with their passing inaccuracy. Meanwhile, for Senegal, vertical passing needs to improve for them.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:19 am IST
FRA VS SEN LIVE UPDATES
Sadio Mane also cut off from the game for Senegal. If the Lions of Tiranga look to fancy their chances, there talismanic forward will have to step up in the game.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:18 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
6′ added time
Jun 17, 2026, 1:18 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE: Second Corner For Le Bleus
Koulibaly nervously puts the ball behind for a corner off his thigh, but Olise’s set-piece delivery is straight into the arms of Mendy.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:18 am IST
Dembele Goes Down
42′-An advantage is played as Sarr is fouled by Saliba — play goes on and it comes to Mane outside the area, but his shot is right at Mendy. Some booing from the Senegal supporters as the free-kick would have been in a dangerous position, but official Alireza Faghani chose to let that go.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:17 am IST
Senegal Fans Boo Referee
41′- An advantage is played as Sarr is fouled by Saliba — play goes on and it comes to Mane outside the area, but his shot is right at Mendy. Some booing from the Senegal supporters as the free-kick would have been in a dangerous position, but official Alireza Faghani chose to let that go.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:16 am IST
Sarr Is Down
Olise sets Kounde free down the right as France break at pace. The Barcelona man cuts the ball back across the edge of the area, but it’s a poor cross that is behind everyone.
Play is now paused so Sarr can recieve some treatment.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:14 am IST
Deschamps Looks Impatiently On The Touchline
38′-Not for the first time, Diatta gets some joy down the right and is able to slide one into the area, but Arsenal man William Saliba is there to tidy up.
Deschamps taps his feet on the touchline.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:12 am IST
Doue, Olise Cutoff From The Game
Some of France’s star players have been fairly absent so far in this match. Didier Deschamps will be hoping for more from the likes of Doue and Olise.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:11 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE: Problem of Passing
Both teams have looked sloppy in their passing in the final third.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:09 am IST
Robert Pires, Patrick Viera In the Stands
A few French superstars in the stands including Robert Pires and Patrick Viera.
They’ll be looking for more from France after a fairly subdued opening 35 minutes for Les Bleus.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:08 am IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE UPDATES
Diatta creates space effectively on the right flank before linking up with Sarr, but a lack of coordination with Camara sees the final ball drift out of play for a goal kick.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:05 am IST
Sarr sends it wide
Another opening for Senegal, though not a clear-cut one. Sarr tries his luck from the edge of the box, but without full control, and his effort sails wide for a goal kick.
Jun 17, 2026, 1:02 am IST
FRA vs SEN
GAME Resumes after hydration break
28′-Niakhate with a long throw
Jun 17, 2026, 1:00 am IST
Nicolas Jackson Hits Woodwork
25′-Brilliant From Nicolas Jackson!
The Bayern Munich forward fires an effort at goal, and the ball smashes into the post before deflecting behind for a corner off Maignan’s back.
That was a real scare for France.
0-0 in the first Hydration break
Jun 17, 2026, 12:57 am IST
FRA VS SEN LIVE UPDATES: Harakiri From Jackson!
A miss pass from Jackson leads to a counter from France which is foiled by Senegal once again.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:55 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
21′-Risky back pass from Senegal, Edouard Mendy has to come out from his line.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:54 am IST
First Corner For France
20′-Diouf can’t stop the ball from going behind and France have their first corner of the game.
Olise swings the ball in from the right and the ball bounces behind off Tchouameni for a goal kick.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:53 am IST
Dembele Tries An Attrocious Shot!
18′-Ousmane Dembele tries an atrocious shot from outside the 30-yard box, which ricochets off a Senegalese defender.
On the other end, Ismailia Sarr made a poor long pass on the counter.
END TO END STUFF!
Jun 17, 2026, 12:51 am IST
France Rushing In final Thirds
The French team are rushing at the final third to pass the ball to Mbappe. Something similar which Turkey did in the game against Australia (Guler in that case).
While France looks settled in the back and at the middle of the pitch, Le Bleus need to be composed and clinical in the final third.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:49 am IST
Mbappe Becomes Nervy Early On
France are moving the ball fluidly across the pitch, switching play to stretch Senegal’s shape. Dembélé finds a breakthrough pass into the box for Mbappé, but the captain fails to bring it under control, allowing it to slip away-marking his second heavy touch of the game.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:48 am IST
Koulibally Makes Error In Passing
13′-Koulibaly almost fluffs his lines with a poor pass that Dembele is happy to pick up 35 yards from goal, but his ball through to Mbappe is overhit.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:46 am IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE: Lot of Attacking intent in Senegalese side
10′-Senegal have made a bright and energetic start to the match, immediately showing their attacking intent. With plenty of firepower in their lineup, they’ve already demonstrated their ability to trouble the French defence.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:44 am IST
France Needs To Make Quick Release
France needs to release the ball quick in the final third likt the circulation they are doing in the back of the lineup to avoid Senegal from snatching the ball as the Lions of Tiranga look to bring out their physicality
Jun 17, 2026, 12:41 am IST
FRA vs SEN LIVE
6′-Ismalia Sarr gets a brilliant through ball, but Dayot Upamecano. Both teams are breaking their formation to make a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:38 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
4′- France are setting up a diamond in the middle of the pitch with Saliba at the back. Meanwhile, Mbappe gets a beautiful long ball, only to be defended by a Senegalese defender.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:35 am IST
FRA VS SEN
2′- SENEGAL ON THE ATTACK
The African side get the first corner of the game.
Jun 17, 2026, 12:34 am IST
France vs Senegal LIVE
0′- Kickoff!
France starts attacking from left to right
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Story first published: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 23:55 [IST]
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