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France's starting lineup against Senegal for 2026 World Cup opener revealed
via SeneNews1 min read
Didier Deschamps has announced France's starting lineup for their 2026 World Cup Group I opening match against Senegal. Mike Maignan will be in goal. The defense will feature Théo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, and Jules Koundé. The midfield trio consists of Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Michael Olise. The attacking lineup includes captain Kylian Mbappé, Désiré Doué, and Ousmane Dembélé.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadThe 2026 World Cup group stage match between France and Senegal is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026, with kickoff at 7:00 PM Dakar time. For Senegal, Sadio Mané, the team's technical leader and captain, is expected to be a key player due to his speed, dribbling, and ability to influence the game. Senegal will play in a 4-3-3 formation with Edouard Mendy in goal, a defense of Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, and El-Hadji Malick Diouf, and a midfield of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, and Lamine Camara. The attack will feature Nicolas Jackson, Ismaïla Sarr, and Sadio Mané. For France, Michael Olise, an attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich, is anticipated to be a standout player, known for his technical skill, vision, and one-on-one abilities. France will adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mike Maignan in goal, a defense comprising Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, and Théo Hernandez, and a midfield duo of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot. The forward line will include Kylian Mbappé, supported by Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué. Live coverage of the match, including real-time scores and highlights, will be available.
Ahead of the World Cup 2026 match between Argentina and Algeria, incidents occurred between supporters of both teams in New York. According to TMZ, Argentine and Algerian fans gathered in Midtown Manhattan on Monday and clashed after tensions escalated, reportedly starting with insults. The verbal altercations quickly turned into physical confrontations, with several supporters exchanging punches and kicks. Amidst the confusion, a Senegalese fan reportedly intervened to try and de-escalate the situation before the arrival of law enforcement. New York police then intervened to restore calm and disperse those involved. The situation returned to normal without any major additional incidents reported. This fight is among the first violent clashes recorded since the start of the World Cup 2026. The match between Argentina and Algeria is scheduled for the night of Tuesday, June 16, in a context now marked by this tension between certain groups of supporters.
Must ReadThe Teranga Lions of Senegal are preparing for their 2026 World Cup debut against France. Images released by the Senegalese Football Federation show the team's jerseys and equipment arranged in the locker room at MetLife Stadium. This marks a symbolic step in the final hours of preparation for the highly anticipated Group I match. Pape Thiaw's team will face the French vice-world champions on Tuesday at 7 PM GMT. The match has generated significant anticipation among Senegalese supporters and evokes memories of Senegal's historic victory over France in the 2002 World Cup.