Intensity is on the menu when World Cup favorites France meet African powers Senegal in both nations’ 2026 World Cup opener on Tuesday.

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is the scene for this fiery clash, which will fittingly come in the heat of mid-afternoon.

WATCH — France v Senegal

Senegal is a former French colony and a lot of Senegalese national team players have come from clubs in France over the years dating back to Senegal’s famous upset of France when Papa Bouba Diop scored the lone goal at the 2002 World Cup in Seoul.

France are ranked third in the world by FIFA while Senegal are 16th in the latest rankings.

How to watch France vs Senegal live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (June 16)
Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV Channel: Telemundo/Universo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol

France team news, focus

The French are almost completely healthy tip to tail although Hugo Ekitike is a notable absence thanks to the long-term injury suffered with Liverpool. Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni are expected to be available despite recent injuries, while William Saliba has the green light to play. Kylian Mbappe will be in focus as he seeks a second World Cup to improve a 2026 which started with a wildly disappointing Real Madrid campaign.

Senegal team news, focus

Senegal won AFCON before their title was stripped thanks to late-game antics that were nothing short of an international embarrassment. That doesn’t change the fact that this is a deep, powerful, experienced side that can beat anyone and will feel it has as much juice as anyone in the race to be the first African finalist — and winner — at a World Cup. Kalidou Koulibaly is in a race against the clock to play in this tournament, while Idrissa Gana Gueye and Krepin Diatta are mild concerns but should be fit to play.

France vs Senegal prediction

Some will say where there’s smoke there’s fire when it comes to seeming widespread expectation of France failing to meet the moment, but that’s the sort of thing that often gets said when a team appears to be capable of lapping the field in terms of top-end talent. Surely there will be bumps along the way, but France won’t be sleeping on Senegal and there’s a steadiness at the wheel with Didier Deschamps. France 2-1 Senegal.

Source: NBCSports.com