France and Senegal meet in New Jersey to open Group I at the 2026 World Cup

France and Senegal faced off Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the first match of Group I at the 2026 World Cup. The game revived memories of their famous 2002 meeting in Seoul, when Senegal stunned France 1-0.

France arrived after qualifying comfortably and with an imposing attack of Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe, coming off a difficult season at Real Madrid, had a personal milestone within reach, because one goal would move him level with Olivier Giroud at the top of France's all-time scoring list on 57 goals. Didier Deschamps also started Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.

Senegal entered its third straight World Cup with encouraging news about defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who recovered from injury and was named in the starting lineup. Coach Pape Thiaw led with Nicolas Jackson up front, flanked by Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr, while Abdoulaye Seck began on the bench. Iranian-Australian referee Alireza Faghani officiated the match.

The article also laid out Group I's standings and remaining schedule. Norway, Senegal, Iraq and France all started level on zero points, with the next games set for June 17, June 23 and June 26 in Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Toronto.