France vs. Senegal live score, result, highlights from 2026 World Cup Group I match

One of the 2026 World Cup’s top favorites gets underway as France begin Group I play with an opening match against Senegal on Tuesday from MetLife Stadium.

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Ranked second in the world, France have their sights set on returning to this New York City-adjacent venue five weeks from now when the final is held, but for now they must take it one game at a time. Les Bleus were poor in their warm-up friendlies, losing to Ivory Coast and conceding to Northern Ireland in a 3-1 win.

Their opponent to begin the tournament is French-speaking nation Senegal, ranked 15th in the world. The Lions of Teranga were abysmal in their tune-up matches, shredded by the counter-press of the United States before they were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.

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France vs. Senegal score

Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Referee: Alireza Faghani (AUS)

Starting lineups:

France (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. Maignan (GK) — 5. Kounde, 17. Saliba, 4. Upamecano, 19. L. Hernandez — 8. Tchouameni, 14. Rabiot — 11. Olise, 7. Dembele, 20. Doue — 10. Mbappe

Senegal (4-3-3, right to left): 23. Diaw — 15. Diatta, 2. M. Sarr, 19. Niakhate, 25. Diouf — 5. Gueye, 21. Diarra, 17. P. Sarr — 18. I. Sarr, 11. Jackson, 10. Mane

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France vs. Senegal live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup

Prematch

4 hours to kickoff (11 a.m. ET): It’s a wonderful day at MetLife Stadium today, where the temperature is much more temperate than it was at the first game here between Brazil and Morocco, expected to be in the upper 70’s at the peak of the day around kickoff.

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Interestingly, there’s also a much smaller media contingent here for this match than there was last time for Brazil.

France vs Senegal coming up in just under 4 hours at MetLife Stadium. pic.twitter.com/gdwVDyqMjE

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) June 16, 2026

5 hours to kickoff (10 a.m. ET): France boast arguably the best collection of attacking talent in this World Cup on paper, but don’t expect them to fully unleash it right away, if ever. Eight years ago, Didier Deschamps was resoundingly skewered by fans and media for how reserved France played, all the way up until they won the title in Russia.

Four years ago in Qatar, when they advanced to the final, France were more attack-minded, but they still only scored more than two goals in a single game just three times: a 4-1 opening win over Australia, a 3-1 win over Poland to begin knockout play, and then the famous 3-3 draw against Argentina in the final in which two of the six goals were scored in extra-time.

Where to watch France vs. Senegal in World Cup

France vs. Senegal start time

• Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. local ET

This match will kick off at 3 p.m. locally in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on the east coast of the United States.

Read more World Cup rosters 2026: All 48 official national team squads for FIFA men’s tournament

What channel is France vs. Senegal on today?

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Who will win the World Cup in 2026?
• Updated FIFA World Rankings
• How World Cup qualifying works
• Explaining the expanded World Cup bracket
• Full list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup

France World Cup schedule 2026

Senegal World Cup schedule 2026