France - Senegal / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the France vs. Senegal match in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, which you can also watch live on JOJ play, kicks off at 9:00 PM CET.

The football world has been waiting. One of the hottest contenders for the world title, the French national team, begins its World Cup journey in New York City. The draw has pitted them against a formidable opponent from Senegal. This encounter immediately evokes strong memories and nostalgia, as it's a faithful replay of the opening match from twenty-four years ago, when the African underdog shocked the reigning champions with a 1-0 victory, completely freezing the entire nation of the "Gallic Rooster."

Adding spice to the match is the fact that current Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was a direct witness to that historic success in 2002, then as a player on the bench. Today, he leads the "Lions of Teranga," who navigated the entire qualification process without a single defeat. However, their pre-tournament camp didn't end ideally – after a narrow 3-2 loss to the United States, they only managed a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia. Coach Thiaw has had to deal with minor health issues for Assane Dia and veteran Idrissa Gueye in recent days, but both are expected to be 100% ready for the opening whistle.

The African representative's biggest asset will be the presence of a fully recovered star, Sadio Mané. He unfortunately missed the previous World Cup due to injury, and his return to the big stage provides a huge mental boost to the team. He will be supported in attack by the dynamic and prolific Nicolas Jackson, who plays for Chelsea. Senegal will traditionally rely on immense physical prowess and high offensive quality.

For French manager Didier Deschamps, this tournament has the flavor of a grand farewell, as he will hand over the coaching reins to the legendary Zinedine Zidane after its conclusion. Motivation is certainly not lacking – if "Les Bleus" navigate the group stage without dropping a point, Deschamps will stand alone at the top of the historical charts, surpassing Helmut Schön's record for most coaching victories at World Cups.

The French showcased an entertaining brand of football in their preparation. Although they suffered an unexpected stumble against Ivory Coast (1-2) in June, they immediately responded with a dominant 3-1 triumph over Northern Ireland. Their immense attacking power is evident in the fact that they have scored at least twice in nine of their last ten matches.

Furthermore, injury concerns have quickly subsided in the camp of the reigning World Cup runners-up. Elite Arsenal center-back William Saliba is back in full training after back problems, and versatile Jules Koundé, along with first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan, are also available to the coaching staff. The main engine of their offensive juggernaut will be captain Kylian Mbappé. He needs just one more goal to equal Olivier Giroud's historic scoring record for the national team.

While Senegal boasts an exceptionally tough defense and dangerous attack, the modern football, tactical maturity, and overwhelming firepower of the French stars should lead to success in New York. A triumph for the European favorites is expected.