France vs Senegal LIVE: World Cup 2026 team news as Kylian Mbappe to lead Les Bleus’ attack

The atmosphere is building nicely at the New York New Jersey Stadium, French fans in good spirits and evidently excited to see this electric front four. The exact position of Olise and Dembele will be fascinating and whether Doue drifts too. Mbappe has promised to focus more on his defensive responsibilities; a win for Deschamps after a turbulent season for Real Madrid. The Pichichi winner may well conclude there are different ways to measure success after this summer.

A nice retro New York Red Bulls shirt spotted too, part of the beauty of a World Cup is the fashion, and a rare Thierry Henry shirt suggests a few locals are adopting Les Bleus here.

We have made it to the MetLife, with no thanks to the Fifa bus driver who lost his way and drove away from the giant stadium. More importantly, France and Senegal are here too. Didier Deschamps has gone for the fantasy front four of Mbappe, Dembele, Doue and Olise, though it remains to be seen who plays where. This should be a terrific group. France are the favourites but there could be three possible winners in this pool.

Senegal XI: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Camara, P. Gueye, I. Gueye; Mane, Jackson, Sarr.

France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Doue, Mbappe, Dembele.

Alireza Faghani is in the middle for tonight’s game.

The Iranian-Australian, 48, is taking charge at a third World Cup having overseen four games in Russia eight years ago and two matches in Qatar in 2022.

The confirmed teams will be with us in the next 15 minutes but here is how we reckon both could line-up

France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Doue, Mbappe, Dembele.

Senegal XI: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Camara, P. Gueye, Sarr; Diarra, Mane; Jackson.

Deschamps has nonetheless been damned with faint praise, in part because he has had such talented players, in part because of his pragmatic bent. There is no such footballing philosophy as Deschampsball; yet no other manager has seen his side score seven goals in World Cup finals.

The counter-argument is to note Deschamps’ France reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 without scoring an open-play goal; they instead had two own goals, one penalty and a successful penalty shootout. France were less than the sum of their parts then.

When Didier Deschamps became manager of France, it was so long ago that Jose Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid – the first time around, that is. It may be more pertinent to say that Sir Alex Ferguson was at Manchester United, Sir Kenny Dalglish had just left Liverpool and Tottenham were turning to Andre Villas-Boas. Another time.

Deschamps can feel the timeless figure who has spanned eras, but one is ending. After 14 years, he is standing down. It may be after 188 games, too, if he steers France to a third consecutive World Cup final or, indeed, a third-place match. He will fall just short of Joachim Low’s record for a European manager, of almost 15 years and 198 matches at the helm.

His immediate predecessor as a World Cup-winning coach could provide one comparison. Low stayed too long with Germany. If France flounder in the United States, the accusation will be that Deschamps has done likewise, especially as his former teammate, turned triple Champions League-winning manager, Zinedine Zidane seems to have spent years waiting to succeed him.

Star player: Sadio Mane. The talisman was praised for his leadership when he convinced Senegal to return to the pitch and end the walk-off protest during the Africa Cup of Nations final. Mane then indicated that he had retired from international football after lifting the trophy, but reversed his decision to play at the World Cup. The explosive speed of his Liverpool peak is no longer there, but the game intelligence remains.

Breakout talent: Mamadou Sarr. The 20-year-old centre-back replaced captain Kalidou Koulibaly when he was suspended for the Africa Cup of Nations final, but he was outstanding. Already at Chelsea, where he was recalled from his loan at Strasbourg, Sarr is the future of the Senegal defence.

Star player: Kylian Mbappe. With 12 goals in just 14 appearances at the World Cup, and by the age of just 27, Mbappe will be motivated by his path towards further greatness as he returns to the tournament that has so far defined his career. While his last two seasons with Real Madrid have not been easy, even if his goalscoring record has remained outstanding, it feels as if the superstar captain has a lot to prove, to a lot of people, as he leads Les Bleus.

Breakout talent: Desire Doue. The winger was playing in the Under-19 Euros two years ago when France reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024. Now he is likely to form part of a star-studded attack after proving his talents on the Champions League stage with PSG. With mesmerising feet and an eye for goal, the 20-year-old is rightfully up there with Lamine Yamal as one of the most exciting youngsters to be appearing at their first World Cup this summer.