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

3 days ago 12

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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.

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

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.

What channel is France vs. Senegal on today?

	Time	TV Channel	Streaming
USA	14:00 ET	Fox, Telemundo	fubo, Peacock
Canada	14:00 ET	TSN 1, RDS (French)	TSN site/app, RDS app
UK	19:00 BST	BBC One	BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Australia	06:00 AEST	SBS	SBS On Demand
India	00:30 IST	Sports 18	Voot, JioTV

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

France World Cup schedule 2026

Date	Time (ET)	Match	Location
Tue, Jun. 16	3 p.m.	France vs. Senegal	MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Mon, Jun. 22	5 p.m.	France vs. Iraq	Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Fri, Jun. 26	3 p.m.	Norway vs. France	Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)

Senegal World Cup schedule 2026

Date	Time (ET)	Match	Location
Tue, Jun. 16	3 p.m.	France vs. Senegal	MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Mon, Jun. 22	8 p.m.	Norway vs. Senegal	MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Fri, Jun. 26	3 p.m.	Senegal vs. Iraq	BMO Field (Toronto, CAN)