France vs Senegal Kick-off time in India, USA, UK, Australia & more for FIFA World Cup 2026

France and Senegal to meet in the World Cup after 24 years.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has raised its curtain, with the football’s largest competition currently underway with its group stage fixtures. The newest edition will feature a record 48 nations for the first time, raising the overall stakes of the tournament.

Despite the new campaign already featuring some big fixtures, those games have failed to create much impact, with multiple matchups falling massively short of expectations. To break this continuous cycle, the best-performing nations in recent editions, France, are set to lock horns against African heavyweights Senegal in a highly anticipated Group I opening fixture at the New York New Jersey Stadium in New Rutherford, New Jersey.

This will be the second competitive meeting between both sides, with their only previous clash being in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. France entered the tournament as favourites, managing to win the previous edition on their home soil, while also securing the 2000 UEFA European Championship.

On the other side, Senegal were featuring in their first World Cup, under manager Bruno Metsu. France was heavily favoured to win the matchup, to begin their defence after a positive result. However, Senegal defied all odds, defeating the reigning champions after Papa Bouba Diop slotted in the 30th minute.

The result stunned the footballing world, as the tournament debutants defeated the ultimate favourites. Senegal gained immense momentum from the matchup, making it all the way to the quarter-finals, becoming only the second African nation to achieve the feat.

The result remains one of the biggest upsets in modern football, with the Senegalese side highly motivated to replicate their previous glory after 24 years. Another added boost for the side will be their manager, Pape Thiaw, who will heavily motivate the side to achieve a result, with him featuring for the nation during the infamous 2002 win.

FIFA World Cup 2026, France vs Senegal: Kick-off time

• USA / Canada (EDT): 3:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)
• France (CEST): 9:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)
• UK (BST): 8:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)
• Senegal (GMT): 7:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)
• India (IST): 12:30 AM (Wednesday, June 17)
• Australia (AEST): 5:00 AM (Wednesday, June 17)
• Algeria (WAT): 8:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)
• Egypt (EEST): 10:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)
• Kenya (EAT): 10:00 PM (Tuesday, June 16)

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