France and Senegal have both confirmed their starting lineups for their Group I opener at the 2026 World Cup in New Jersey. The match at MetLife Stadium kicks off at 8pm BST, with both sides aiming for a strong start before rivals Norway and Iraq face off in Boston.
France Team News
Didier Deschamps faced a fitness concern over Arsenal defender William Saliba, who arrived in camp with a back injury that some reports suggested could require surgery. However, Saliba is now fit and starts alongside Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano in central defence.
In midfield, Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni anchor the holding roles. Kylian Mbappe leads the attack, supported by Michael Olise on the right wing after his hat-trick against Northern Ireland in a warm-up match. Ousmane Dembele operates as a number 10, while PSG's Desire Doue completes the attacking lineup. Notable substitutes include Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, and Marcus Thuram.
France Starting XI
Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe
Subs: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Digne, Konate, Hernandez, Lacroix, Kone, Kante, Z-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Barcola, Mateta
Senegal Team News
Coach Pape Thiaw opts for a back four, with El Hadji Malick Diouf and Krepin Diatta as full-backs. Moussa Niakhate partners veteran captain Kalidou Koulibaly in central defence. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy starts in goal.
Idrissa Gana Gueye plays the holding midfield role, with Villarreal's Pape Gueye and Lamine Camara alongside him. The front three consists of Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson, and Ismaila Sarr.
Senegal Starting XI
Mendy; Diatta, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diouf; Pape Gueye, Gana Gueye, Camara; Mane, Jackson, Sarr
Subs: Diouf, Diaw, Sarr, Seck, Jakobs, Mendy, Ciss, Diarra, Sarr, Ndiaye, Diao, Dieng, Ndiaye, Mbaye, Ndiaye
France, who have reached back-to-back World Cup finals, will aim to overcome a Senegal side stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title. The match is broadcast live on BBC.
