France vs Senegal: World Cup 2026 – Mbappe, teams, lineups, start, Dembele
Two-time champions France begin their Group I campaign by taking on Senegal in New York New Jersey on Tuesday The 2026 World Cup has 13
Two-time champions France begin their Group I campaign by taking on Senegal in New York New Jersey on Tuesday The 2026 World Cup has 13 different kickoff times. You can use the Al Jazeera Sport widget to find out exactly when your team is playing in your local time. Who: France vs Senegal What: FIFA World Cup 2026 Where: New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, United States When: Tuesday, June 16, 3pm local time (19:00 GMT) How to follow: Catch all live updates on Al Jazeera Sport Senegal against France has to be one of the most memorable fixtures in World Cup history, and for all the wrong reasons for Les Bleus. Tournament debutants Senegal stunned the defending champions, plagued by off-field issues, in the opening game of the 2002 edition in Seoul, South Korea, winning 1-0 thanks to Papa Bouba Diop’s goal after half -an -hour – watched from the bench by current Lions of Teranga boss, Pape Thiaw. It remains the only meeting of two nations bonded by 300 years of history, but a repeat in New York New Jersey on Tuesday would not only send new shockwaves throughout the football world, it would be extra -special for the 10 members of the Senegal squad who were born in France. Deschamps aiming to end on a golden note Spain might be the narrow favourites to win World Cup 2026 but is there a more settled and talented squad than France?
Didier Deschamps will seek to end his glorious 14-year tenure as France coach by leading Les Bleus to a third World Cup success. Deschamps lifted the trophy as captain at home in 1998, then masterminded their 2018 success in Russia, while only a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final prevented him from becoming just the second coach to win two World Cups. With his contract set to end in July and with Zinedine Zidane waiting in the wings, Deschamps – the longest serving coach at the tournament by five years – will seek to go out on a high with a third straight final appearance back in East Rutherford on July 19. Three wins here would make him the most successful World Cup coach of all time with 17 tournament victories. Despite a slightly underwhelming performance at Euro 2024, when they suffered semi-final defeat against Spain after scoring just four goals in six games, including a penalty and two own -goals, France dropped only two points in qualification for this tournament by drawing in Iceland. They possess surely the most talented attacking arsenal in the game today, with Kylian Mbappe supported by Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and the likes of Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. While Mbappe hasn’t had the happiest of years with Real Madrid, he still managed 42 goals in all competitions and nobody has scored more than his 12 goals in the past two World Cups – including a hat-trick on his last appearance, the 2022 final.
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