World Cup

France vs Senegal World Cup 2026 prediction

Senegal 1-0 France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup was one of the biggest upsets in the competitions’ history. The two nations meet once again in a group opener, this time on Tuesday night in New Jersey.

France were much shorter odds 24 years ago but I do not see them falling short in the USA. Didier Deschamps’ side are the bookmakers’ favourites to go all the way this summer and it’s hard to bet against them with the talent the 2018 winners have at their disposal.

Les Bleus comfortably won their qualifying group, dropping just two points from their six games, which was a draw in Iceland.

Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue is an abundance in attack, supplied by the likes of Rayan Cherki, Aurélien Tchouaméni,  Adrien Rabiot and Warren Zaïre-Emery in midfield. Théo Hernandez will supply crosses from left-back too. Defensively they are a rock too – Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez.

Let’s not discredit Senegal, I do expect them to make it out of the group. They’ve just drawn the short straw in facing the best team in the world in their opener. Head coach Pape Thiaw was part of that 2002 squad that made the quarter-finals and qualified unbeaten in 10 games – 24 points from a possible 30, although only two ahead of DR Congo.

Chelsea/Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson up front, supported by Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mane should be one of the best front threes in this tournament. Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra and Pathé Ciss are all well-known midfielders. Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old Bara Sapoko Ndiaye should get some time too.

The bookmakers are tempting me with these odds as I fully expect France to be focussed and win the opening game. Better days will come from Senegal but I don’t see Tuesday being one of those.

Best bet: France to win is 1/2 with Bet365