Second favourites in NetBet’s pre-tournament outright market, France begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal next Tuesday evening.
Didier Deschamps’ side lifted the trophy in 2018, before finishing runner-up at Qatar 2022 – a competition in which Senegal were knocked out by England in the Round of 16.
Most football fans are expecting a deep run in the tournament from Les Bleus, and being drawn in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway and Iraq should provide the European heavyweights with some welcome early tests.
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts France’s opener, and our full match preview is available to view below, which contains sports betting tips and NetBet’s latest World Cup odds.
And throughout this summer, NetBet will be running special World Cup promotions through our new-look Bet Boosts page. Browse selected markets with increased odds, and play your way!
Where can I watch France vs Senegal in the UK?
France vs Senegal will be broadcast live on BBC One, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time.
France vs Senegal Preview
Recent results
France finished third at the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals, beating Germany 2-0 in the third-place play-off. Les Bleus then cruised their World Cup qualifying group, winning five of six matches and scoring 16 goals. Deschamps’ men then claimed back-to-back friendly wins over Brazil (1-2) and Colombia (1-3), before suffering a 2-1 loss vs Ivory Coast. But France bounced back to beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in their final warm-up game.
Like France, Senegal sailed through their CAF qualifying group, winning seven of 10 games and scoring 22 goals. The Lions of Teranga then ‘won’ the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, only to have the title stripped from them due to the team’s infamous on-pitch protest vs hosts Morocco in the final. Since then, Pape Thiaw’s side have played four friendlies, beating Peru (2-0) and Gambia (3-1) before suffering a 3-2 loss to the USA. Senegal’s final preparations saw them draw 0-0 with Saudi Arabia, with Nicolas Jackson sent off late in the contest – but to clarify, he is not suspended for this game.
Head-to-head record
France and Senegal’s first and only other meeting was in the group stage at World Cup 2002. The Lions of Teranga famously beat the defending champions 1-0 thanks to a goal from Papa Bouba Diop.
Team news
France boast ridiculous forward options for this World Cup in the likes of captain Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola. However, keeping them all happy and creating a cohesive unit at the same time is the ultimate test for Deschamps. William Saliba’s return vs Northern Ireland after reports of a niggling injury was a huge boost for the France boss.
Senegal’s squad is headlined by evergreen figures in Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, while there is a strong Premier League contingent featuring Idrissa Gueye, Pape Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr. Paris Saint-Germain’s teenage sensation Ibrahim Mbaye is also a huge talent, and a player to keep a very close eye on.
France vs Senegal Odds
*All odds are subject to change
France are big favourites at a price of 1.44. A Senegal victory is at odds of 6.90, while the draw is 4.20.
France vs Senegal Betting Tips
Anytime goalscorer – Kylian Mbappe @ 1.91
Mbappe has not scored in his last three games for France, though in the previous seven he netted eight times. And the World Cup arena is where the formidable Real Madrid forward shines brightest, having scored 12 goals in 14 matches – claiming the 2022 Golden Boot with eight strikes. After a 42-goal season at club level, we expect Mbappe to remind the world of his goal-scoring quality.
Player to score or assist – Michael Olise @ 1.73
Fresh from a hat-trick vs Northern Ireland, Olise looks primed to take the World Cup by storm. The French winger tallied 22 goals and 31 assists from 52 appearances in a Bayern jersey last season, quite ridiculous numbers. And in the 2025 Nations League Finals, Olise recorded three goal contributions in four matches, albeit in a losing cause for France. He is more-than ready to deliver on sport’s biggest stage.
Both teams to score – Yes @ 2.11
Keeping clean sheets has certainly not been France’s forte of late, so there is potentially huge value to be had here. Les Bleus conceded at least one goal in seven of their last nine matches, including each of the previous five. With Senegal possessing some lethal forward-thinking weapons in Mane, Jackson, Sarr and others, the African nation can join France on the scoresheet here.
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