France v Senegal predicted lineups and team news

Two-time World Cup winners France kick off their 2026 campaign when they lock horns with Senegal at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night.

Reaching four of the last seven finals, France boast a famous pedigree in the World Cup, and only a penalty shootout defeat against Argentina in Qatar prevented them from becoming the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

France's only past encounter with Senegal is arguably one of the most memorable in World Cup history. Roger Lemerre led the reigning world champions into the 2002 campaign with an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, including Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Marcel Desailly, but World Cup debutants Senegal stunned Les Bleus in Seoul, emerging as 1-0 winners via a goal from Papa Bouba Diop.

The 2026 campaign marks Senegal's fourth World Cup, and they're well placed to give Group I competitors France, Norway and Iraq problems.

There's an overarching sense that Didier Deschamps named his preferred starting XI for the World Cup when France locked horns with Northern Ireland in their last international friendly before the campaign.

William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are expected to get the nod over imminent Real Madrid addition Ibrahima Konate, while Barcelona full-back Jules Kounde is fit to start despite straining a muscle during the 3-1 victory over Michael O'Neill's side.

A tried and trusted pairing of Aurélien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are set to make up the midfield, meaning European champion Warren Zaire-Emery may have to wait for his chance.

Bayer Munich star Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are set to get the nod over the likes of Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki, with Kylian Mbappe set to headline a formidable front four.

As for Senegal, the ever-reliable Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to start alongside Moussa Niakhaté at the heart of defence, with Krépin Diatta and El Hadji Malick Diouf set to occupy the full-back spots.

Questions have been raised over the fitness of all-time Senegal appearance holder Idrissa Gueye, but he is set to feature after swiftly recovering from a minor issue picked up in training.

Moncao's Lamine Camara, who is attracting interest from various clubs in Europe, and Sunderland man Habib Diarra could accompany Gueye in the engine room.

Sadio Mane missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, but he is set to spearhead a Senegal front three consisting of Premier League duo Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson.

France v Senegal match info

Match	France v Senegal
Competition	World Cup
Venue	MetLife Stadium
Date	Tuesday 16th June
Kick-off time	20:00 BST
Odds	France (4/9), Draw (7/2), Senegal (6/1)

Predicted France XI

Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Aurélien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappe.

Predicted Senegal XI

Édouard Mendy; Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra, Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson.