France vs Senegal summary: score, stats, goals and highlights | 2026 World Cup Group I

What's next for Senegal?

Senegal, meanwhile, will again be at MetLife Stadium on matchday two. On Monday, Pape Thiaw's men take on Norway in New Jersey, at 8:00 p.m. ET. 

What’s next for France?

Having overcome that sluggish first-half display to secure the points at MetLife Stadium, France already have one foot in the knockouts - and can make absolutely sure when they take on Iraq on Monday, June 22.

Played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that game kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Mbappé closes in Klose

This, then, is what the men's World Cup's all-time scoring chart looks like now. Miroslav Klose's record, which has stood since 2014, is now under serious threat.

1. Miroslav Klose, Germany: 16
2. Ronaldo, Brazil: 15
3. Gerd Müller, West Germany: 14
3. Kylian Mbappé, France: 14
5. Just Fontaine, France: 13
5. Lionel Messi, Argentina: 13

World Cup 2026

Iraq vs Norway live online: score, stats, goals & updates | World Cup 2026 Group I

You can follow live-text coverage of Norway vs Iraq  here.

Group I as it stands

After that Group I opener, then, France are the section's initial leaders with three points.

The group's second game, between Norway and Iraq, is coming up at 6:00 p.m. ET in Foxborough.

Historic Mbappé

Mbappé was pretty ropey for a large chunk of that game, I thought. But he, like France, turned it on in the second half - and he broke two records.

His overall tally of 58 France goals is a men's national team record. So, too, is his total of 14 World Cup goals. That latter record had stood since 1958, when Just Fontaine banged in 13 at the same tournament.

Peeep peeep peeep! France came alive in the second half, and they've begun with a win. Senegal were the better team before the break - but had little answer when Les Bleus finally clicked going forward.

What a stoppage time this has been. Tchouaméni almost gives Senegal a second with a silly own goal.

Tracking back to meet a Senegal cross from the right, Tchouamémi succeeds only in sending a woeful piece of control looping up and over Maignan's head. The keeper has to look alive to paw the ball out before it crosses the line.

So that makes Mbappé France's highest ever scorer with 58, and France's highest ever men's World Cup scorer with 14.

Norway up next for Senegal. That's a brutal opening two games for them, it really is.

Before facing the Senegalese, though, the Norwegians open up their World Cup campaign at 6:00 p.m. ET, against Iraq.

Having dealt with that Senegal corner, France spring forward in search of a third.

Cherki collects on the right flank and scampers forward. He jinks inside and, in truth, takes too long to decide what to do with it. He's dispossessed.

Eight minutes of time added on.

A corner for Senegal. Can they make nick a goal and make this interesting for the final minutes?

Nope.

After a quick spot of head-tennis involving several men, France clear it.

Kylian Mbappe (center) celebrates his opening goal for France.

Senegal also make another substitution, bringing on Pathé Ciss for Idrissa Gueye.

Another change for France, who replace Doué with Cherki.

This is the thing with France, isn't it. They can be as unimpressive is you like for half a game or more, but once they click, they open teams up at will.

This time, the French come pouring forward down the left, whence it's fizzed into the middle to Mbappé. He has plenty of space to shoot from 15 yards or so... but aims his strike too close to Mendy! Almost a third for the French, though.

Pape Thiaw reacts with a double change for Senegal. Ndiaye and Dieng are on, with Jackson and Pape Gueye making way.

France replace Dembélé with Bradley Barcola.

From the left, Diouf whips in a delicious, delicious cross. Hit with oodles of whip and pace, it flies right onto Jackson's boot on the penalty spot.

Jackson volleys just over - and is deemed offside, anyway. Still, lovely ball from Diouf.

This was the moment Mané went lunging in on Mbappé in the Senegal penalty box. No penalty was given... but I've seen them given, to say the least.

Senegal come forward, working it into Mbaye. The substitute cannot bring it under his spell, though, and suddenly Mbappé is haring forward down the left wing.

But Diatta does well to deal with the Real Madrid striker. He wins a free-kick off him.

Here come those Senegal subs: Ismaila Sarr and Lamine Camara are off, with Habib Diarra and Ibrahim Mbaye on.

France are opening Senegal up with far greater ease now.

Doué skips into the Senegalese box from the right, before spanking a low shot at goal. Mendy beats it out.

Senegal are preparing some changes.

We're back underway at MetLife Stadium.

France have not been great at all today, but they lead. To give Les Bleus their dues, they've carried much the greater offensive threat since half time.

Mbappé has also joined Just Fontaine on 13 career World Cup goals, making him France's joint-top scorer in the history of the men's tourament.

And now it's time for the players to stop for some refreshments.

Mbappé, incidentally, is now France's joint-highest scorer of all time. He has drawn level with Olivier Giroud on 57 goals for Les Bleus.

Right away, Senegal have the ball in the net - but that won't count!

Jackson chases down a long ball into the France box, before walloping it hight into the net from an acute angle. It's a fine finish, alright - but he was well offside when he began his run.

Claude Makélélé, who is on comms on Spanish TV, cannot believe Mbappé didn't bring that under control. “Mamma mia, mamma mia,” he says again and again.

Maignan and Upamecano almost get themselves in a terrible tangle in the France box, before breaking the Senegal press.

And when they do, Olise so very nearly puts Mbappé in on Mendy!

The Bayern winger turns, looks up, and feeds what looks like an inch-perfect ball into Mbappé's run into the area. But Mbappé cannot control! It trundles harmlessly through to Mendy.

No penalty! Mr. Faghani says Mbappé initiated the contact.

Deschamps is not happy.

VAR check: possible penalty

The referee is, finally, called over to the pitchside monitor. When that happens, it usually spells bad news for the defending team.

France are screaming for a penalty. But they don't get one - at least, not immediately.

Mané flies in on Mbappé as the Real Madrid striker surges into the box, and Mbappé falls to the turf.

The referee says... no penalty! The France bench is incensed.

Right, France do appear to have come alive now.

Again Les Bleus get a speedster running into the Senegal area: a moment ago it was Olise, this time it's Mbappé.

The striker scuttles into the area with ball at feet, but Mendy saves again! Diatta did just enough to put Mbappé off.

Kylian Mbappe (right) and Adrien Rabiot (center) of France in action against Lamine Camara (left) of Senegal.

That's the first real moment of attacking danger from Olise, who could very well have given the French the lead there.

Mané loses it just inside the Senegal half - and, as the referee waves away Mané's pleas for a free-kick, Olise sets off for the Senegalese box.

Olise drops a shoulder and jinks his way into shooting space on the left of the area - but his effort is beaten out by Mendy! France's best chance thus far.

And Mbappé's mistake very nearly leads to a clear chance for Senegal. 

In the blink of an eye, the Teranga Lions shuttle the ball forward for Sarr to run with it into the box, but Saliba does very well to snuff out the danger. His tackle is perfectly timed - and it had to be.

So far since the break, it's been France who have done all the attacking.

Launching a quick forward foray, Les Bleus find Mbappé in space on the left... but that's where the attack ends. Mbappé gives it away.

Koundé receives in a good position in the right-hand channel, before slipping it wide to Dembélé.

Can Dembélé conjure something up here? Nope: he doesn't get the chance. The flag is up, and it turns out Koundé was offside.

Right away, France get the Senegal defense backpedalling in a way they did not do in the first half.

Dropping into the No. 10 area of the pitch, Doué collects a long ball out from the back. He then has too much time to turn, advance towards the Senegal box and pick his spot.

Doué sends a left-footed shot arrowing towards Mendy's goal - but just misses the keeper's right-hand corner. It flies a yard or so wide.

Confirmed, by the way: No half-time substitutions.

Peeep! We're back underway.

Having seen away that plate of half-time oranges, the players and staff are beginning to emerge from the locker rooms.

The second half is imminent. It's not clear just yet whether or not there have been any changes at the break.

France's Adrien Rabiot (center) in action against Senegal's Pape Gueye (left) at MetLife Stadium.

France flop as Senegal shine: the stats

According to our friends at SofaScore, France registered an xG of 0.02 in that first half. That's sub-optimal.

Senegal had an xG of 0.47, and also beat their opponents on big chances created, shots on and off target, and touches inside the opposition box.

World Cup 2026

Kylian Mbappé at the 2026 World Cup: The French striker has history within reach, but questions to answer

Some half-time reading for you, courtesy of my colleague Andrés Onrubia.

“Kylian Mbappé heads to the United States chasing major scoring records, but recent struggles have raised concerns before the tournament begins,” Andrés writes.

Read more.

Toothless France

Per Opta, France's grand total of one shot represents a 60-year low (at least) in the first half of a World Cup group-stage game.

Peeep peeep peeep! That's half time at MetLife Stadium. France have been average at best; Senegal have carried much the greater attacking threat.

A few seconds ago, Sarr should have scored for the Teranga Lions. And just before the water break, Jackons thundered a shot against the upright.

France have created next to diddly-squat.

Oh, blimey. Senegal should be ahead here.

On the left, Mané skips into the France box, with too much time and space to pick out a pass. 

Pick out a pass he does: right to Sarr on the penalty spot. But Sarr blazes it over!

France plop the ball about in front of the Senegal defense, before Koundé finally tries to inject some zip into the attack.

The only problem, though, is that Koundé's first-time ball into Olise is off target. Senegal clear.

Doué tries a backheel to Rabiot inside the France half, but doesn't find him. Instead, he plays it right to a white shirt. Doué is a marvellous player, but that was questionable decision-making.

Senegal try to get Sarr running at the French defense, but he can't gather.

France win it back on the halfway line, before Dembélé seeks to feed it left to Doué.

Dembélé's ball is intercepted. This has not been a vintage France display.

Niakhaté dallies for just a moment too long on the edge of his box, inviting Dembélé on to give chase.

But Niakhaté finally sorts himself out, and Senegal bring it forward.

Six minutes of time added on in East Rutherford.

Again Dembélé crosses. This time, he bursts towards the right-hand byline and centers, but it's right at Koulibaly.

Dembélé's ball bounces awkwardly in front of Koulibaly, who can only prod it behind with what looked like his stomach. The corner comes to zilch, though.

Back come France, who win a free-kick in crossing territory, some 10 yards or so outside of the Senegal box.

Dembélé it is who delivers, but his cross is cleared.

At the other end, France work it right to Koundé, who has come thundering forward from right-back.

Koundé's cross, though, is a load of rubbish. He can't find a blue shirt, and Senegal bring it away.

At one end, Sarr skips in from the right, before tumbling under Theo's challenge. 

Sarr remains down in a heap, thumping the turf in apparent pain. No free-kick is given - but the loose ball does fall to Camara, who digs out a shot from range. 

It's straight at Maignan in the France goal.

France's Mbappé tussles with Senegal defender Kouliably.

France have not been great; Senegal have looked the likelier scorers.

But we've been here before with Deschamps' France, haven't we? In the blink of an eye, they can click into gear and one of their many, many talented stars can do something fabulous.

Just for a moment, Rabiot thinks he's got the chance to lead a quick France counter, having won the ball back just inside the Senegal half.

Rabiot tries to feed it left before bursting into the box... but his attempted pass is cut out. Attack over.

Ah, that's a shame. Camara sprays a crossfield pass to Diatta, who skips inside and bursts forward, toward the France box.

Diatta slips it right to Sarr, who has peeled off into space. But when Sarr tries to feed Jackson, his pass is overhit. It runs out for a goal-kick to the French.

France knock it about for about a minute or so, but it's slow ball. Senegal aren't going to be troubled by this.

France's Dayot Upamecano (right) attempts to hold off Senegal's Ismaila Sarr.

Right away, Sarr drives at the French box, but shoots well off target.

Drinks break over, we're back underway.

That was a very good opening 25 minutes or so for Senegal.

World Cup 2026

How do hydration breaks work during the 2026 World Cup and how long do they last?

A reminder - not that you need it at this point - that we're having ‘hydration breaks’ in every game at the World Cup.

Here's more on the rule change, courtesy of my colleague Roddy Cons.

The Senegal corner comes to nought, and now it is time for the drinks trolley to be wheeled out.

But before we can have the cooling break, we have the game's best chance so far! It falls to Senegal. And it arises from an Mbappé loss of possession.

Mbappé is robbed by Diouf, who doesn't need a second invitation to launch a quick break. Diouf's low ball forward finds the run of Jackson, who scampers on into the box.

From the left-hand side of the area, Jackson gets plenty of welly behind his strike - but it bounces back off the near post!

It almost ricochets off the Maignan's body and back into goal, but not quite! It trickles just wide.

France have scarcely managed to run at Senegal so far, but here they do get the chance to.

On the left, Mbappé thunders forward - but, when Rabiot pushes forward in support, the pair can't combine to open up the Senegalese defense.

A moment later, Mendy takes a bit of a risk with a pass out from the back, but he gets away with it.

Goalless it remains, and I imagine the drinks break is incoming.

A first corner for France, which Olise will take.

Olise pings in a narrow delivery towards the near post, but it's not his best. Senegal deal with it.

Senegal are looking dangerous up this right flank.

Pape Gueye sidefoots a delicious, first time ball in between Theo and Saliba, giving Sarr the chance to make for the byline.

Sarr, however, gets his cross all wrong. It sails over Maignan's head and over the bar. France goal-kick.

Back come France, who look like they are starting to settle a little.

Les Bleus keep it for one, two, maybe three minutes, before Olise slips it inside from the left to Dembélé.

Olise's pass gives Dembélé the chance to shoot from the corner of the box, but his effort is blocked.

OK, this time it was definitely Dembélé's fault. 

Deep inside the Senegal half, Koulibaly is guilty of gifting possession to the French. He might want to not do that in future.

Koulibaly gets away with it this time, though. Dembélé picks it up and tries to thread a through ball into Mbappé, who has set off towards the Senegal box like the proverbial express train.

But Dembélé's pass is well overhit. Had he got it right, Mbappé was in on Mendy.

Actually, in fairness to Dembélé, there was very little wrong with his pass. There was a lot wrong, however, with Mbappé's first touch.

Mbappé gives Dembélé the thumbs-up.

France finally get their foot on the ball inside the Senegal half. 

Les Bleus work it right to Dembélé, who, in turn, looks to release Mbappé in the box. He doesn't succeed. Senegal clear.

Niakhaté feeds it left to Mané, who has peeled off right onto the left-hand touchline.

Mané is crowded out of it and must work it back, but Senegal look very confident thus far.

No genuine goal chances just yet... but it's been a good first 10 minutes or so for Senegal. Almost all of the play has been in the French half.

That's neat attacking play by Senegal. It's worked forward into Jackson in the right-hand channel, whence he turns it first time into Sarr's path.

Sarr drives forward into the box... but has a gaggle of French defenders quickly on top of him. He tries to shoot from the right-hand side of the area, but it's blocked.

There's a brief rise in the decibels when Koundé scampers after Niakhaté deep in the Senegal half - but the defender shepherd the ball safely back to Mendy.

Blazing sunshine in East Rutherford.

France work it forward to Mbappé, who can't control on the edge of the Senegal box. Had he been able to bring it under his spell, he might actually have been in.

Rabiot is then penalized for a high boot, giving Senegal a free-kick and a chance to launch an attack.

Ah, but the corner comes to nothing. Jackson is penalized for standing on Maignan's foot.

Free-kick to the French.

Well, that's a very encouraging start from Senegal.

With Diouf haring forward down the left, the Teranga Lions work it out wide to the full-back. He then skims over a cross with plenty of pace and whip, and it's headed behind for a corner.

Peeeeep! We're underway in New Jersey.

Deschamps eyes record World Cup tally

This will be Didier Deschamps' 20th World Cup game in charge of France. 

Per Opta, only one coach - the German Helmut Schön - has managed more matches at the men's tournament. Depending on how far Les Bleus go, Deschamps could overtake that mark this summer.

Anthems over!

With the singing all done and dusted, all that's left are the handshakes and the coin toss.

And now Senegal, whose anthem - Google tells me - is called “Le Lion Rouge”.

Here are the teams!

Out come the players, and it's time for the anthems at MetLife Stadium.

France go first.

A last look at the Senegal XI:

A final reminder of the France lineup:

Teams in the tunnel!

The France and Senegal players are lined up in the MetLife Stadium tunnel, and are about to make their way onto the pitch.

With just a few minutes left until the whistle blows, let's take a last look at the XIs...

Senegal fans prepare to cheer on the Teranga Lions against France.

Who is the referee?

Today's referee will be the Iranian-Australian official Alireza Faghani.

Senegal's players warm up ahead of kickoff against France.

What the coaches said: Thiaw

France supporters inside MetLife Stadium ahead of kickoff.

What the coaches said: Deschamps

World Cup

The World Cup’s most impressive performance: why Just Fontaine broke the goal scoring record and never returned to the tournament 

If you'd like to learn more about Just Fontaine's historic World Cup goal haul, check out this piece by my colleague Dane Arlauckas.

Men’s World Cup top scorers: the all-time top 10

1. Miroslav Klose, Germany: 16
2. Ronaldo, Brazil: 15
3. Gerd Müller, West Germany: 14
4. Just Fontaine, France: 13
4. Lionel Messi, Argentina: 13
6. Pelé, Brazil: 12
6. Kylian Mbappé, France: 12
8. Sandor Kocsis, Hungary: 11
8. Jürgen Klinsmann, Germany/West Germany: 11
10. Helmut Rahn, West Germany: 10
10. Gary Lineker, England: 10
10. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina: 10
10: Teóifilo Cubillas, Peru: 10
10. Thomas Müller, Germany: 10
10. Grzegorz Lato, Poland: 10

Just behind Just

Kylian Mbappé is also one behind Just Fontaine's French record of 13 goals at the men’s World Cup.

Mbappé’s 12 have been scored across two World Cups; Fontaine needed just the one.

The striker racked up all 13 at the 1958 finals: it's a single-tournament tally that has never been bettered by anyone, French or otherwise.

Mbappé in sight of history

Scorer of 42 goals for Real Madrid this season, albeit in a trophyless campaign, Kylian Mbappé starts for France with a couple of international records in his sights.

The striker, who wins his 99th France cap today, is just one goal behind Olivier Giroud’s record tally of 57 goals for Les Bleus.

Mbappé is also sixth on the men’s World Cup’s all-time scorers list, with 12 goals in 14 games. (The same record as Pelé, who was also rather good at football.)

Mbappé's hat-trick in the 2022 final left him within four goals of the German Miroslav Klose’s unmatched haul of 16 at men’s World Cups.

A France supporter ahead of kickoff in New Jersey.

At a glance: Senegal's recent form

The Teranga Lions' last five results:

Jun. 9: Saudi Arabia 0-0 Senegal, friendly
May 31: USMNT 3-2 Senegal, friendly
Mar. 31: Senegal 3-1 Gambia, friendly
Mar. 28: Senegal 2-0 Peru, friendly
Jan. 18: Senegal 0-3 Morocco, AFCON*

*Match forfeited

How did Senegal qualify for the World Cup?

Senegal qualified unbeaten, racking up 22 goals and conceding just three in 10 games. They topped their qualifying group with 24 points out of a possible 30.

Pape Thiaw's team stamped their ticket to North America in October, thanks to a 4-0 thumping of Mauritania.

That was one of three games the Senegalese won by four or more goals during their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Senegal stripped of AFCON crown

Alongside that friendly defeat to the USMNT, this year's Africa Cup of Nations final also counts as a loss. That's despite the Senegalese actually winning the game on the pitch.

In January, Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 to lift the African title - but were then stripped of their crown. That ruling came after the African Soccer Confederation (CAF), opted to punish the Teranga Lions for briefly walking off the field after the Moroccans were awarded a late penalty.

Brahim Díaz missed that spot-kick, and Senegal went on to win in extra time, but CAF ruled that Senegal had “forfeited” the match by temporarily leaving the field.

The Senegalese have lodged an appeal against CAF's decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Senegal a top-20 team

Senegal are actually considerably higher than the Norwegians in FIFA's world rankings.

Under Thiaw, who was part of the squad that beat France in 2002, the Teranga Lions hit an all-time high of 12 in January, and now sit 16th, 15 places above the Scandinavians.

The Senegalese lost a World Cup warm-up to the U.S. at the end of May - but that is their only defeat in the last 12. Well, their only defeat on the field.
 

Senegal behind France and Norway in Group I betting

While France are the bookmakers' -250 frontrunners to win Group I, Senegal head into the World Cup as only the third favorites to top the section.

In a group that is, arguably, the toughest of the tournament, Pape Thiaw's men are rated at +700 to come first, behind Erling Haaland’s Norway on +275.

A Senegal fan before today's Group I clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

At a glance: France's recent form

Les Bleus' last five results:

Jun. 8: France 3-1 N. Ireland, friendly
Jun. 4: France 1-2 Ivory Coast, friendly
Mar. 29: Colombia 1-3 France, friendly
Mar. 26: Brazil 1-2 France, friendly
Nov. 16: Azerbaijan 1-3 France, WCQ

Ivorians end France's winning run

That Ukraine thrashing was the first of four straight wins for France between November and March.

However, the Frenchmen were given a nasty surprise against the Ivory Coast earlier this month, losing their penultimate World Cup warm-up 2-1 to the Africans.

Les Bleus then recovered to beat Northern Ireland 3-1 eight days ago, in their final game before this summer's tournament.

How did France qualify for the World Cup?

France eased to World Cup qualification, topping UEFA Group D by a six-point margin. Les Bleus won all but one of their six games: their only blemish was a 2-2 draw away to Iceland in October.

Didier Deschamps' men confirmed their World Cup spot the following month, with a 4-0 thumping of Ukraine.

Koulibaly returns as Thiaw rings changes for Senegal

Pape Thiaw makes a total of five changes to the team that began Senegal's final tournament tuneup, against Saudi Arabia eight days ago.

Kalidou Koulibaly, Ismaila Sarr, Irissa Gueye, Pape Gueye and Nicolas Jackson all come into the Teranga Lions' lineup. Mamadou Sarr, Pathé Ciss, Iliman Ndiaye, Habib Diarra and Cherif Ndiaye make way.

Senegal lineup confirmed

We also have confirmation of Pape Thiaw's first Senegal XI at the 2026 World Cup: Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Diouf, Camara, I. Gueye, P. Gueye, I. Sarr, Jackson, Mané.

As you were for France

There are no changes to the French team that began their final World Cup warm-up, against Northern Ireland last week.

France lineup confirmed

Deschamps has named his starting XI at MetLife Stadium: Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Theo, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Olise, Démêlé, Doué, Mbappé.

France

Zidane has made his decision

You can read more about France's anticipated Zidane appointment courtesy of my AS colleague Andrés Onrubia.

ZZ in for DD?

The French Soccer Federation has not yet confirmed the identity of Deschamps' successor... but it’s rather an open secret.

Former France star Zinedine Zidane, who was Deschamps’ teammate when Les Bleus won the World Cup in 1998, is expected to take over.

Can Deschamps pull off a Pozzo?

Were Deschamps to lead France to victory in North America, he would be just the second coach ever to win two men's World Cups - and the first in nearly a century.

Only Vittorio Pozzo, who oversaw Italy’s World Cup triumphs in 1934 and 1938, has managed that feat thus far.

Deschamps' last dance

This is France’s fourth straight men’s World Cup under the stewardship of Didier Deschamps, and their seventh straight major tournament under the 57-year-old head coach.

And it is, of course, Deschamps’ last: in January 2025, he confirmed that he would end his 12-year stint in charge after this summer's finals in North America.

It has been a tenure that has seen the Deschamps become only the third man to win the World Cup both as a player and as a coach. (The other two, should you be wondering, were Franz Beckenbauer and Mário Zagallo.)

France locker room: all set

Thoughts on the France kit this year? I'm not convinced.

Can France emulate Die Mannschaft and O Seleção?

Should France return to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup final on July 19, they would become only the third team in the history of the men's tournament to contest three straight title games.

The first two? West Germany in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and Brazil in 1994, 1998 and 2002.

France's chances

Opta, meanwhile, gives France a 13.4% possibility of winning the title this year. Les Bleus sit ahead of England and Argentina, whose chances are rated at 10.37% and 10.19%, respectively.

And France have a one-in-five chance of at least getting back to the final, Opta says: 21.29%, to be exact.

World Cup 2026

Spain has made history… in a negative way

I can also recommend this opinion piece by AS's editorial director, José Félix Díaz.

“Luis de la Fuente's side were a shadow of themselves throughout the match,” writes José Félix.

World Cup 2026

Spain stumble in their World Cup opener as Cape Verde shine

If you want to read more on that disappointing Spain display yesterday, let me point you in the direction of our match report from Atlanta, written by my colleague Héctor Martínez.

Spain stumble in opener

Two years on from winning their fourth European title, Spain have been backed by both the bookies and the soccer stats sites. For example, data specialists Opta give the Spaniards an unmatched 15.45% chance of winning their second world crown.

However, Luis de la Fuente’s men made a very bad start to their World Cup campaign yesterday.

Facing Cape Verde, a tournament debutant ranked 65 places below them, the Spaniards limped to a goalless draw in Atlanta.

France the bookies' joint World Cup tip

 Having qualified for their eighth straight men's World Cup - a record for Les Bleus - France are being heavily tipped to secure a third global crown.

Currently, Didier Deschamps' men are the bookmakers' +600 joint-favorites, together with Spain.

In recent days, the Spaniards had actually been slightly ahead of the French, but…

Who else is in World Cup action today?

This is the first of four games across two groups.

In France and Senegal’s section, Group I's second matchday-one game follows at 6:00 p.m. ET, when Iraq and Norway face off in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Today also sees the reigning champions begin their title defense: Argentina kick off their campaign against Algeria at 9:00 p.m. ET, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Elsewhere in Group J, Austria and Jordan meet in Santa Clara, California, at 11:00 p.m. ET.

Twenty-four years on from Senegal's historic win over Les Bleus

This is, of course, a World Cup matchup that brings with it a heavy tooting of the narrative klaxon. It's only the teams' second meeting at the tournament, but it's fair to say the first was a memorable one.

In the opening game of the 2002 finals - Senegal's first ever match at a men's World Cup - the Africans stunned a French team which, at the time was the defending champion. 

Papa Bouba Diop's scrambled 30th-minute finish gave Senegal a1-0 win that set up the Teranga Lions' run to the last eight.

France, meanwhile, did not recover from that opening blow: Les Bleus crashed out at the group stage in South Korea and Japan.

What time is kickoff?

Kickoff at MetLife Stadium - an arena that will also be hosting the final in just over a month’s time - is at 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.

We'll bring you team news just as soon as it’s in.

France vs Senegal: welcome!

Right then. Another frontrunner enters the fray this evening, as France begin their 17th men's World Cup campaign, bidding to emulate their title-winning teams of 1998 and 2018.

Les Bleus kick off the action in Group I with a New Jersey clash against Senegal, who head into their fourth men’s World Cup.

The Senegalese have now made three straight World Cups since 2018; however, they're yet to repeat their run to the quarterfinals 24 years ago, when they made their tournament debut.