France and Senegal are set to resume a memorable World Cup rivalry on Tuesday as they face off in a blockbuster Group I opener on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in East Rutherford.
The fixture instantly brings again reminiscences of the 2002 World Cup, when Senegal surprised defending champions France with a well-known 1-0 victory in one of many best upsets in event historical past. Greater than 20 years later, the Lions of Teranga might be hoping to supply one other shock in opposition to one of many favourites to elevate the trophy.
France arrive on the event among the many main contenders for World Cup glory and might be keen to present Didier Deschamps the right send-off. The legendary coach, who has gained the World Cup each as a participant and supervisor, is ready to step down after the competitors, with Zinedine Zidane anticipated to succeed him.
Senegal additionally loved an unbeaten qualification marketing campaign and are showing at their third consecutive World Cup. The Lions of Teranga proceed to ascertain themselves as one in every of Africa’s strongest soccer nations following their Africa Cup of Nations success and constant performances on the worldwide stage.
Nevertheless, their World Cup preparations ended on a combined be aware, with a 3-2 defeat to co-hosts USA adopted by a goalless draw in opposition to Saudi Arabia. Regardless of these outcomes, Senegal possess sufficient high quality and expertise to problem any opponent.
With France concentrating on a profitable begin and Senegal dreaming of one other historic upset, this Group I encounter guarantees to be one of many standout matches of the opening spherical.
Crew Information:
France have been rocked by experiences that Arsenal’s William Saliba might miss the complete event after aggravating a again damage within the Champions League remaining, however fears over the centre-back have been rapidly allayed, and Saliba has returned to full coaching forward of Tuesday’s match.
Headlining a fear-inducing entrance 4, Kylian Mbappe enters the World Cup on 56 objectives for France, placing him only one shy of the all-time males’s document set by Olivier Giroud in Qatar.
A person who will certainly change into Les Bleus’ main male goalscorer comes face-to-face with Senegal’s unrivalled internet rippler, as Sadio Mane – absent from the 2022 World Cup as a result of damage – is match and raring to go this time round.
There are a couple of bumps and bruises in Thiaw’s squad, as Assane Diao missed coaching earlier this week as a result of a contusion, Cherif Ndiaye was absent on Saturday for unexplained causes, and Everton veteran Idrissa Gueye didn’t full the total session as a precautionary measure.
Nevertheless, there are not any main considerations over any of the trio, though Ndiaye is prone to lose out to Nicolas Jackson for the quantity 9 spot, regardless of the Chelsea man’s sending-off in opposition to Saudi Arabia.
Potential Lineups
France doable beginning lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Doue, Mbappe; Dembele
Senegal doable beginning lineup:
Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Camara, P. Gueye; Sarr, Diarra, Mane; Jackson
How one can Watch
| Platform | Particulars |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Dwell Stream | DSTV stream |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00 (WAT) |
Match predictions
Softfootball predicts France 2-0 Senegal
France have seldom did not carry the leisure in current internationals, scoring and conceding in every of their final 5 video games, whereas every of their final 9 have gone above the three-goal mark.
