Senegal starting lineup vs France confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026 match

The Lions of Teranga face the two-time champions in their World Cup opener tonight.

Senegal open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a tough Group I clash against France at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Lions of Teranga, fresh from the disappointment of having their AFCON 2025 title victory overturned, will look to repeat their success from the last World Cup edition and make it to the knockouts.

Sadio Mane and company sealed their place in the expanded 48-team tournament in North America with a flawless qualification campaign, going unbeaten in all their matches. After beating Morocco in the AFCON final, they began their World Cup preparations with friendly wins over Peru and Gambia. However, they suffered a 3-2 loss to USA and were held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia.

Facing a French team fancied to go all the way and lift the trophy this year, Pape Thiaw’s men will face a massive challenge in tonight’s match. However, they will look to repeat the magic of Seoul 2002 that saw the African giants, featuring Thiaw as a player, beat Les Bleus 1-0.

Also Read: France vs Senegal Prediction for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash

Let’s look at the Senegal confirmed lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against France:

Senegal (4-3-3): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly (c), Moussa Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane.

Substitutes: Mory Diaw (gk), Yehvannn Diouf (gk), Abdoulaye Seck, Antoine Mendy, Ismail Jakobs, Mamadou Sarr, Bara Ndiaye, Habib Diarra, Pape Matar Sarr, Pathe Ciss, Assane Diao, Bamba Dieng, Cherif Ndiaye, Ibrahim Mbaye, Iliman Ndiaye.

Thoughts on the lineup

Thiaw has a few injuries to contend with before tonight’s clash, with Assane Diao and Cherif Ndiaye missing training due to an assortment of knocks. As a result, Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson starts at the top as the lone striker.

Sadio Mane, who missed the 2022 edition with an injury, will be the star of this Lions of Teranga side and starts on the left flank. Crystal Palace’s maverick wide man Ismaila Sarr starts on the right wing. Lamine Camara controls the midfield, joined by Everton veteran Idrissa Gana Gueye and Villarreal’s Pape Gueye.

They will shield the defence of Moussa Niakhate and Koulibaly. The latter is preferred over young Chelsea centre-back Mamadou Sarr and handed the captain’s armband. Krepin Diatta and El Hadji Malick Diouf occupy the full-back positions, with Edouard Mendy starting between the sticks.

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