Senegal face France Tuesday as Saliba returns and Mbappé sets the tone

Tuesday. France. MetLife. It's here.

Senegal open their 2026 World Cup campaign against France on Tuesday, June 16, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Kickoff is 20:00 BST. This is Group I, Matchday 6, and it's the game every Senegal fan circled the moment the draw landed. France are tournament favourites. You're the underdog. That's exactly how this team likes it. (1) (2)

Saliba back in France training, set to start

William Saliba returned to full training after a back issue and is now expected to start against Senegal. France's strongest centre-back pairing, Saliba alongside Ibrahima Konaté or Dayot Upamecano, looks intact for Tuesday. That means your attack faces a near full-strength French defense. (3)

Mbappé's pre-match ritual: praising his teammates

Kylian Mbappé spent time this week giving detailed portraits of every France teammate, from Mike Maignan needing to feel important to perform, to the younger squad members earning his respect. It reads like a team at ease, confident, and tight-knit. But confidence can tip into complacency. Senegal know that better than most. (4)

Deschamps testing Zaïre-Emery at left-back

Didier Deschamps tested 20-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery at left-back in the final training session. Normally a midfielder, Zaïre-Emery told reporters: "The coach put me at left-back in the last session", and added he's ready to play anywhere, "even in goal." It signals France are experimenting late. Whether that's a weakness or a tactical curveball depends on Tuesday. (5)