2026 World Cup: How to buy tickets to France vs. Senegal

2026 World Cup: How to buy tickets to France vs. Senegal Two of international football’s most storied names go head-to-head in one of the standout opening fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. BUY TICKETS FOR FRANCE VS. SENEGAL HERE France and Senegal meet at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 (kick-off 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM BST), in a Group I clash that carries echoes of history, enormous individual talent, and genuine tactical intrigue. The tie brings back memories of the 2002 World Cup, when the Lions of Teranga shocked the world, and France specifically, with a 1-0 group stage victory over the then-reigning world champions. Les Bleus never recovered, crashing out at the group stage. France’s head coach Didier Deschamps reacts during the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) Twenty-four years on, Didier Deschamps’ side will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that nightmare opening, while Senegal’s new manager Pape Thiaw will be hoping his side can produce another giant-killing act on football’s biggest stage. With France entering as one of the tournament favourites and Senegal riding into the competition as arguably the strongest side in Africa, this is a match that demands your full attention. BUY TICKETS FOR FRANCE VS. SENEGAL HERE How France could line up against Senegal Didier Deschamps — in what will be his final tournament after 14 years at the helm, named his 26-man squad on 14 May 2026, and it remains as formidable as any France side in recent memory. Predicted France XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernández; Rabiot, Tchouaméni; Olise, Cherki, Dembélé; Mbappé. In goal, Mike Maignan is the undisputed first choice. The AC Milan keeper has grown into one of the finest shot-stoppers in world football and brings commanding presence and distribution to the back line. ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Mike Maignan of AC Milan gives the team instructions during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Olimpico Stadium on December 04, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) The defensive unit is a source of healthy competition. Jules Kounde is the standout option at right-back, while Theo Hernandez provides attacking impetus down the left. At centre-back, a three-way battle between William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté is expected, with Saliba and Upamecano likely to start against a powerful Senegal attack. In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni is an automatic selection in the engine room, while long-serving Deschamps favourite Adrien Rabiot, in outstanding form for AC Milan this season, could partner him. BUY TICKETS FOR FRANCE VS. SENEGAL HERE The attacking midfield positions offer luxury options, with players like Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki able to unlock deeper defensive lines. Up front, all eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe, captaining the side in his third World Cup. The Real Madrid forward has 56 international goals, one behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time French record, and will be desperate to reach the milestone on American soil. Alongside him, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele arrives in blistering form, having scored 35 goals as PSG won back-to-back Champions League trophies. France are heavy favourites to win this group, and the firepower at their disposal makes them genuinely dangerous from the first whistle. How Senegal could line up against France Under new head coach Pape Thiaw, who replaced the long-serving Aliou Cisse in late 2024, Senegal arrive at this World Cup as a side that has exceeded expectations. They qualified with an unbeaten record and had the added satisfaction of a stunning victory over England during qualifying, before the drama of AFCON 2025, where Senegal reached the final only for the result to be overturned by CAF after Thiaw controversially called his players off the pitch following a disputed penalty. Predicted Senegal XI (4-3-3): Édouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra; Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane In goal, Edouard Mendy offers top-level experience. The defence is anchored by the veteran Kalidou Koulibaly, who brings over 100 international caps and Al-Hilal experience to a back four that also includes the promising Moussa Niakhaté and dynamic right-back Krépin Diatta. BUY TICKETS FOR FRANCE VS. SENEGAL HERE The midfield is one of Senegal’s great strengths. Idrissa Gana Gueye brings tenacity and reading of the game, while Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and Lamine Camara (Monaco) provide dynamic options. Bayern Munich’s Bara Ndiaye adds further quality to an already competitive engine room. The forward line is where Senegal truly catch the eye. Sadio Mane, now with Al-Nassr and Senegal’s all-time top scorer with over 50 international goals, remains the talisman. Alongside him, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson offers pace and direct running to trouble any defence, while Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye brings creativity and the ability to play between the lines. With Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr in reserve, Thiaw has genuine attacking depth at his disposal. Senegal will need to be disciplined and compact in order to frustrate a devastating French attack, while relying on their pace and physicality on the counter to trouble Deschamps’ side. BUY TICKETS FOR FRANCE VS. SENEGAL HERE How to buy France tickets One place to check out more info on World Cup tickets is FIFA’s link  here , but there’s no harm in exploring other options as well. For that reason, it’s worth checking out our suggested link  here , which offers a reliable and cost-effective way to secure match tickets. How to buy Senegal tickets Supporters of Senegal typically head straight to the official website, which is available here, but it’s always wise to consider alternative sources in case better-value offers are available elsewhere. For instance, we suggest using our link  here  if you’d prefer to skip additional membership fees and avoid lengthy queues for high-demand fixtures, while our user-friendly platform also provides peace of mind with a 150% money-back guarantee. Both of Senegal’s opening group games are hosted at MetLife Stadium, the very same venue that will host the World Cup Final on 19 July, making this an especially memorable opportunity for the Lions of Teranga faithful to be part of something historic from the very start.