France vs. Senegal Preview & Lineup Predictions

Charlie Zschau Updated: 8 hours ago

Preview of France vs. Senegal in the 2026 World Cup, including lineup predictions and betting odds.

France are heavy favorites in the opening match against Senegal, but Sadio Mane's team have proven that they cannot be overlooked by even the best teams in the world.

The Lions of Teranga were crowned African champions in Morocco back in January, though their title was subsequently stripped by CAF due to them leaving the field in protest of a refereeing decision at the end of normal time.

Even the 2018 World Cup champs and the 2022 runner-up will need to show up against the West African nation to come away with all three points.

France's head coach Didier Deschampes has been criticized before for being too conservative, and Senegal have the ability to make them pay if they can't put the game away.

France lost to Ivory Coast (1-2) in their second to last friendly before the World Cup, so Senegal will be confident they can manage similar result.

There are no major injuries for either team ahead of the first match, but many players are coming back from injury so they might not be fit to finish a full 90-minutes.

France vs. Senegal Betting Odds

	France	Senegal
To Win	-209	+600
To Win or Draw	-1000	+162
To Draw	+333
No Draw	-500

France vs. Senegal Location & Start Time

France and Senegal kickoff at 3:00 PM ET at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, June 16.

The game begins at 2:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM MT, and 12:00 PM PT.

France's Lineup Prediction

Manager: Didier Deschamps
Formation: 4-2-3-1

		ST Kylian Mbappe

LM Desire Doue		AM Michael Olise		RM Ousmane Dembele

	CM Adrien Rabiot		CM Aurelien Tchouameni

LB Theo Hernandez				RB Jules Kounde
	CB Dayot Upamecano		CB William Saliba
		GK Mike Maignan

France boast one of the deepest squads in the 2026 World Cup, and all that fire power will likely be on display in their opening match against a very good Senegalese team.

William Saliba should start in the center of defense next to Dayot Upamecano after aggravating a back injury in the build up. Saliba only played 45 minutes in France's pre-World Cup friendlies, but is supposedly fit enough for the start of the tournament after returning to full training.

Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michel Olise are all guaranteed starters for Deschamps, but the final attacking position is up for grabs between Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola.

Doue, 21, is most likely to start, while Cherki may be the first option off the bench.

Warren Zaire-Emery is also likely to get some minutes due to his verstility. The PSG midfielder can play centrally, or fill in as a more attacking option compared to Jules Kounde.

Senegal Lineup Prediction

Manager: Pape Thiaw
Formation: 4-3-3

		ST Nicolas Jackson
LW Sadio Mane				RW Iliam Ndiaye

	CM Pape Matar Sarr		CM Habib Diarra
		CM Idrissa Gana Gueye

LB Malik Diouf				RB Krepin Diatta
	CB Moussa Niakhate		CB Kalidou Koulibaly
		GK Edouard Mendy

Senegal have a blend of veteran leadership and young talent that make them a very intriguing team to watch this summer.

Kalidou Koulibaly missed the final few months of the season, but like Saliba, will be fit to start for Senegal. Chelsea youngster Mamadou Sarr will be waiting in the winds for his opportunity with Koulibaly likely to start next to Moussa Niakhate.

The midfielder could be filled with many different names, but Senegal's most experienced player, Idrissa Gana Gueye will likely start in holding position.

Two of the front three will be Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson, with either Iliam Ndiaye or Ismail Sarr starting on the right side.

Kackson was sent off in Sengal's last friendly against Saudi Arabia but he will not be suspended for the opening match of the World Cup.