2026 World Cup: France scouted Senegal at the 2025 AFCON

A delegation from the French national team was in Morocco during the 2025 AFCON to scout Senegal just months ahead of the 2026 World Cup kickoff.

According to information from L’Équipe this Friday, the French Football Federation sent Jean-Luc Vannuchi, coach of the national U19s, to the 2025 AFCON. He was in Morocco to observe the tournament’s most compelling matches. The aim is to gain an edge over Senegal, whom France will face in the group stage at the 2026 World Cup.

Guy Stéphan, assistant to the French head coach, also commented. “We have all the data on Senegal’s play, their running speeds, the areas they cover. This will be fine-tuned in June, with a video montage that will finally be shown to the squad on the morning of the match,” he explained, as is his custom.

He added: “For the players, it still feels a long way off. Observers will be sent to watch our opponents’ matches in March.” Still according to L’Équipe, the power and technical mastery displayed throughout the competition remain the fundamentals to consider ahead of their fast-approaching showdown (June 16 at 9 p.m. in New Jersey).

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.