France's national football team, Les Bleus, began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City, on June 17, 2026. The game is part of the tournament's group stage, with France aiming to defend their 2018 title after a runner-up finish in 2022.
According to official FIFA schedules, the 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with MetLife Stadium hosting several matches. France's opener against Senegal was highly anticipated, drawing a large crowd of fans from both nations and neutrals.
As of the match start, no final score was available, but live updates were being provided by French media outlet franceinfo. The match is a key test for France, who have a strong squad including stars like Kylian Mbappé, while Senegal, the reigning African champions, feature players such as Sadio Mané.
The 2026 tournament features an expanded format with 48 teams, and this match is one of the first in the group stage. Both teams are expected to advance, but the opener sets the tone for their campaigns.
