France are favorites in the World Cup odds and would love to make a statement in their opening game of the tournament.
Senegal are serious contenders. They remember fondly their meeting with France at the 2002 World Cup, which ended with the Africans claiming a 1-0 victory in one of the tournament's biggest shocks. I don't believe a surprise of that magnitude is in store this time, but France will still need to switch into competition mode quickly to avoid an early upset.
Check out my France vs. Senegal predictions and World Cup picks for June 16 to find out why I'm backing a convincing France win in New Jersey.
TOP PICK
Who will win France vs Senegal: France -1.5 (+140)
Outgoing manager Didier Deschamps guided France to the World Cup title in 2018 in Russia. He also lifted the trophy as a player in 1998. Despite having a reputation for being cautious and not being a football extrovert by definition, Deschamps surely knows that a strong performance in a World Cup opener can set the tone for the entire tournament.
France have scored more than 1.5 goals in each of their last nine matches, while scoring 3+ goals in three of their last four matches, so this is not a team that eases off once they start scoring. And given their quality in attack, it would be difficult for them to do so. The French are in excellent form and have won six of their last seven matches.
They used their two friendlies in June to test players and, having watched Michael Olise's masterclass against Northern Ireland, when he scored all three goals, I'd say they're well covered even if Kylian Mbappe has an off day or two in front of goal.
I'm backing France to win by 2+ goals against Senegal and get their campaign off to the perfect start before facing Iraq and Norway in Group I of the World Cup.
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France vs Senegal Over/Under Pick: Over 3.5 (+230)
There have been Over 2.5 goals in each of France's last five competitive matches. Their last three have produced more than 3.5 goals. France themselves have scored Over 2.5 goals in their three most recent competitive fixtures.
Senegal tend to be involved in high-scoring games as well. Seven of their last 10 matches have gone Over 2.5. Looking at the friendlies France played before the World Cup in March and June, two of the four featured Over 3.5 goals, while the other two also went Over 2.5 goals.
Senegal's main weapon against France will be their counterattacks, but defensively, they're likely to struggle. After watching their 3-2 defeat to the United States in a pre-World Cup friendly, it was clear that their focus is on attacking quickly in transition rather than sitting deep and containing opponents.
It will be difficult to stop France, but Senegal have every chance of finding the net themselves.
France vs Senegal projected lineup
France (Formation): Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Olise, Doue, Mbappe.
Senegal (Formation): Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Diarra, Sarr, Jackson, Mane.
France vs Senegal injuries
France: No key injuries to report.
Senegal: No key injuries to report.
France vs Senegal weather
Expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures reading around 23°C to 24°C.
France vs Senegal odds
 France |
 Senegal |
|
|---|---|---|
| -203 | Moneyline | +733 |
| +355 | Draw | +355 |
| Over 2.5 (-110) | Total | Under 2.5 (-110) |
Odds courtesy of Kalshi.
How to watch France vs Senegal
Check out FIFA's official 2026 World Cup website for more information.
| Location | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Date | Tuesday, June 16, 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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