Senegal Face France in Opening Group Match of World Cup 2026
Senegal will kick off its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Tuesday, 16 June, when the “Teranga Lions” meet defending champions France in a Group C encounter. The match, scheduled for a 20:00 GMT kick‑off, will be broadcast live across multiple platforms, with streaming options listed by Fubo and The Guardian for audiences worldwide.
The Senegalese side enters the tournament with a squad that includes long‑time forward Sadio Mané, who has been highlighted as a key figure in the team’s hopes to translate continental success into World Cup performance. Analysts from Olympics.com note that the “potential” of the Teranga Lions will largely hinge on Mané’s influence and the cohesion of a relatively experienced lineup.
France, the 2018 and 2022 champions, will look to start their defence strongly. The Guardian’s schedule guide confirms the match will be shown on major broadcasters in Europe and North America, while Fubo outlines streaming routes for viewers in the United States, including its own platform and partner services.
Both teams have been preparing for the tournament with a series of friendlies, but detailed information on recent results is not provided in the source material. The focus remains on the high‑profile nature of the opening fixture, which pits Africa’s most prominent representatives against a European powerhouse.
Organisers have confirmed that the venue for the clash will be the newly built stadium in the host city of the United States, though the exact location is not specified in the reports. Ticketing details have been released through official FIFA channels, with sales opening to the public earlier this month.
The match will also serve as a benchmark for Senegal’s progress since their impressive run to the quarter‑finals in 2022, where they were eliminated by England. Observers will be watching to see whether the “Teranga Lions” can replicate or surpass that performance on the world stage.
