Deschamps Faces Final Midfield Call as France Open World Cup Against Senegal

France begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal with a reputation as one of the tournament favorites, 24 years after their famous 1-0 loss to Senegal in Seoul in 2002. Didier Deschamps has an outstanding attacking trio in Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé, and on a good day France look close to unstoppable. Jules Koundé was doubtful because of injury but is expected to start, while William Saliba is out and the central defense should be Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano.

Deschamps’ main dilemma is in midfield, where he is choosing between Manu Koné and N'Golo Kanté. France, world champions in 1998 and 2018, have played in 16 World Cups and are set for their eighth straight appearance, having last missed the tournament in 1994. They reached the final in four of the last seven editions, including consecutive finals in 2018 and 2022.

Mbappé is one goal away from joining Olivier Giroud at the top of France’s all-time scoring list with 57 goals, and two goals away from becoming the outright leader. Deschamps is also about to coach his 20th World Cup match as manager, joining a short list that includes Helmut Schön, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Bora Milutinović, Oscar Tabárez and Mário Zagallo.

Senegal are making their fourth World Cup appearance and have qualified for three straight tournaments, having built continuity after a 16-year gap between 2002 and 2018. They have won two of their three opening World Cup matches, with the only loss coming in 2022 against the Netherlands. Coach Pape Thiaw, who was part of Senegal’s 2002 squad, is considering Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye and Sadio Mané in attack, while Kalidou Koulibaly is back to lead the defense. The match is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Alireza Faghani of Australia as referee, and France are in Group I with Senegal, Iraq and Norway.