France vs Senegal World Cup 2026 LIVE Score: Kylian Mbappe returns after Qatar heartbreak as Les Bleus begin title chase

France vs Senegal Live Score: For Senegal coach Papa Thiaw, this opener against France is rich with history. He was part of the Senegal squad that stunned defending champions France in the 2002 World Cup, watching that famous 1-0 win from the bench. Now, 24 years later, he leads the Lions of Teranga from the technical area, trying to repeat history in a very different role and era.

France vs Senegal Live Score: Didier Deschamps begins another World Cup campaign with France, but this one carries extra weight. The 2026 tournament is set to be his final assignment as Les Bleus manager, ending a reign that delivered the 2018 World Cup and a run to the 2022 final. Calm, pragmatic and tournament hardened, Deschamps once again has the squad to go deep – and one last chance to finish on top.

France vs Senegal Live Score: Senegal is going 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: E Mendy

Defenders: E Diouf, M Niakhate, K Koulibaly, K Diatta

Midfielders: P Gueye, I Gueye, L Camara

Forwards: S Mane, N Jackson, I Sarr

France vs Senegal Live Score: France is going 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper – M Maignan

Defenders: J. Kounde, William Saliba, D Upamecano, T Hernandez

Midfielders: A Touchameni, A Rabiot

Forwards: M Olise, O Dembele, D Doue, K Mbappe

France vs Senegal Live Score: France reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 by topping UEFA qualifying Group D, finishing ahead of Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan. Their qualification was sealed in emphatic fashion with 1 4-0 win over Ukraine, underlining their status as one of Europe’s strongest sides. For Les Bleus, this is a ninth straight World Cup appearance and another shot at turning their golden generation into champions again.

France vs Senegal Live Score: Senegal booked their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by topping their CAF qualifying group, finishing above DR Congo. The Lions of Teranga went through the campaign unbeaten, collecting 24 points from 10 matches with seven wins and three draws. It was a controlled, consistent qualification run rather than a dramatic escape, and it underlined why Senegal arrive in Group I as one of Africa’s strongest sides.

France vs Senegal Live Score: France and Senegal’s last World Cup meeting remains one of the tournament’s great shocks. In the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, defending champions France were beaten 1-0 by debutants Senegal in Seoul. Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal, turning the game into a historic night for African football. France never recovered from that start and exited the group stage without scoring a single goal.

France vs Senegal Live Score: Since that heartbreaking 2022 World Cup final, Kylian Mbappe’s life has changed dramatically. He became France captin, carried the weight of a new era, left Paris Saint-Germain after years of speculation, and completed his long-awaited move to Real Madrid. The pressure, criticism, and expectation have only grown. Tonight, he returns to the World Cup not as France’s biggest star, but as their leader.

France vs Senegal Live Score: The last time Kylian Mbappe played a World Cup match, he almost bent football history to his will. France were slipping away in the 2022 final against Argentina before Mbappe dragged them back, first with nerves of steel from the spot, then with a stunning volley, and later with another penalty in extra time to complete a hat-trick. It was still not enough. France lost the final, but Mbappe left Qatar looking less like a defeated man and more like a force the tournament would have to face again. Tonight, against Senegal, he returns to the World Cup stage carrying the unfinished feeling. The fight, the pain, the memory of the final – all of it follows him back into France colours.