World Cup 2026: France vs Senegal - Group I, June 16
France 3–1 Senegal (June 16, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey), Kylian Mbappé scored twice (66', 90+6') and Bradley Barcola added a third (82'). Mbappé became France's all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals and now has 14 World Cup goals. Senegal pulled one back through Ibrahim Mbaye (90+5'). France top Group I.
The context
The 2026 World Cup’s most anticipated early fixture for French supporters arrives on June 16: France vs Senegal at MetLife Stadium, the very stadium that will host the final on July 19. This is not just an opening group-stage match, it carries the weight of history. In 2002, Senegal produced one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time, beating France 1-0 in the tournament opener in Seoul, knocking out the reigning world and European champions. Every French fan remembers that day; every Senegalese supporter will invoke it going into kickoff.
Twenty-four years on, the context is very different. Kylian Mbappé, one of the most feared forwards on the planet, leads a France side that reached the 2022 final and has the depth and experience to go all the way in 2026. Manager Didier Deschamps has built his team around Mbappé’s explosive pace and finishing, with Antoine Griezmann and a disciplined defensive unit behind him. France enter as clear Group I favorites.
Senegal, however, are no pushovers. They reached the Round of 16 in 2022 in Qatar and have the quality across the pitch to trouble any side. Group I is completed by Iraq and Norway, making it a genuinely open group where France will need to be at their best from the first whistle. The match kicks off at 3pm ET (9pm Paris) on June 16, with the entire French nation watching.
Result (June 16, 2026): France won 3–1. Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 66th minute and sealed the win deep in stoppage time (90+6’), a brace that made him France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals and extended his World Cup tally to 14. Bradley Barcola made it 3–0 in the 82nd minute. Senegal pulled one back through Ibrahim Mbaye in the 90+5’ but the outcome was never in doubt. France top Group I and face Iraq next on June 22 in Philadelphia.