2026 World Cup / France - Senegal: The official lineups are in!

16.06.26 FT World Cup

France

3

:

Senegal

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The big moment has arrived. For their opening match in the 2026 World Cup, France and Senegal face off at MetLife Stadium in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the first round. Here are the official lineups for both teams.

The long-awaited showdown is here. This Tuesday, June 16 at 9:00 PM (French time), France and Senegal kick off their World Cup campaign with a high-profile clash at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, near New York. Twenty-four years after their only meeting in 2002—won by the Lions of Teranga (1-0)—the two nations meet again for a new chapter in their shared history.

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This Group I encounter promises to be particularly unpredictable between two ambitious squads. On one side, France, finalists of the last edition and two-time world champions, boast a roster brimming with talent. On the other, Senegal, reigning African champions, led by an experienced generation spearheaded by Sadio Mané, are determined to prove they can compete with the very best on the global stage.

The official lineups for France - Senegal:

France: Maignan - Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez - Tchouaméni, Rabiot - Olise, Dembélé, Doué - Mbappé (c).

Senegal: Mendy - Diatta, Koulibaly (c), Niakhaté, E. Diouf - Camara, I. Gueye, P. Gueye – I. Sarr, Jackson, Mané.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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