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Full-time
France 3–1 Senegal
16 Jun · Tue · MetLife Stadium
Our top forecastFrance over 1.5 goals
✓ CORRECT

Match summary

France defeated Senegal 3-1 at MetLife Stadium, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice (66', 90+6') and Bradley Barcola adding a third (82'). Ibrahim Mbaye struck a late consolation for Senegal (90+5'). France pulled away after the hour to finish matchday one top of Group I alongside Norway. Our forecast — France over 1.5 goals — landed comfortably, with Les Bleus scoring three.

Group I standings

#TeamPWDLGDPts
1France2200+56
2Norway2200+46
3Senegal2002-30
4Iraq2002-60
France: next match →Senegal: next match →
What we predicted before the match
🌍 FIFA World Cup · World

France – Senegal Prediction and Betting Tips

France national football team logo
France
W L W W
vs
15:00
16 Jun · Tue
Senegal national football team logo
Senegal
D L W W
Kick-off: 15:00 local (16 Jun) · 19:00 UTC Venue: MetLife Stadium Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
Top forecast + 4 supporting tips
5 picks
Top Pick
Total Team 1 Over: 1.5 France over 1.5 goals 60% confidence
1.63odds

France's attacking depth and recent scoring consistency point to two or more French goals, while Senegal have conceded in most of their recent games.

Back this tip
1X 72%
France or draw
2.80 odds
Total:Over: 2.5 58%
Over 2.5 goals
1.83 odds
Total:Over: 1.5 76%
Over 1.5 goals
1.25 odds
Total Team 2 Under: 1.5 62%
Senegal under 1.5 goals
1.18 odds
France against Senegal revives memories of one of the World Cup's great shocks, the 2002 opener Senegal won 1-0. More than two decades on the roles look reversed: France arrive among the favourites for the whole tournament, while Senegal aim to prove they can still trouble the elite. As a group-stage opener with seeding implications, both sides will balance ambition with caution.

France humming in attack

France come in among the most feared attacking sides in the competition, unbeaten across a strong recent run and scoring freely against quality opposition. Their forward line carries pace, depth and Champions League pedigree, and few defences contain them for a full 90 minutes. The squad arrives in good health with no major absentees reported, and the balance between a controlling midfield and a direct attack makes them clear favourites here.

Senegal dangerous on the break

Senegal reach a third straight World Cup with a physical, transition-based threat that can punish gaps. Their recent form has been mixed, with results swinging between impressive wins and narrow defeats, but the pace and directness of their forward line make them dangerous against a high line. They arrive with no major absentees reported and the belief that their golden generation can compete with anyone on their day.

Prediction: France's firepower should tell

With just one prior meeting — Senegal's famous 2002 win — there is little form to lean on between them. The France versus Senegal prediction centres on the gulf in recent attacking output: France have scored consistently against good sides, so France to go over 1.5 goals reads as the value angle rather than simply backing the win. Supporting that, a France-or-draw double chance reflects their unbeaten run, the total going over 2.5 fits France's scoring trend, the match passing over 1.5 looks near-certain on both teams' habits, and Senegal — facing France's defence — are tipped to stay under 1.5.
France — recent matches
08 Jun 2026 Northern Ireland 3 — 1 W
04 Jun 2026 Ivory Coast 1 — 2 L
29 Mar 2026 Colombia 3 — 1 W
26 Mar 2026 Brazil 2 — 1 W
Limited recent international matches
Senegal — recent matches
09 Jun 2026 Saudi Arabia 0 — 0 D
31 May 2026 USA 2 — 3 L
31 Mar 2026 Gambia 3 — 1 W
28 Mar 2026 Peru 2 — 0 W
Limited recent international matches
31.05.2002 France vs Senegal 0 – 1

Their only meeting — Senegal won the famous 2002 World Cup opener.

Key Players

France
Kylian Mbappé ST Real Madrid · 85+ caps · 51 G · Captain
Antoine Griezmann AM Atlético · 135+ caps · 44 G
Aurélien Tchouaméni CDM Real Madrid · 35+ caps
Ousmane Dembélé RW PSG · 50+ caps · 6 G
William Saliba CB Arsenal · 20+ caps
Senegal
Sadio Mané LW Al-Nassr · 100+ caps · 40 G
Kalidou Koulibaly CB Al-Hilal · 80+ caps · Captain
Édouard Mendy GK Al-Ahli · 35+ caps
Ismaïla Sarr RW Crystal Palace · 65+ caps
Nicolas Jackson ST Bayern Munich · 20+ caps

Injuries

France
None reported
Senegal
None reported

Venue · Context

Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Capacity: 82,500
A vast open-air bowl — the tournament's final venue — with little cover; conditions are typically mild but the large pitch suits expansive play.
Weather: Mid-June New York area: ~24–28°C, humid.

Suspensions

France
None reported
Senegal
None reported

Other Group I matches

MD1
Iraq1–4NorwayLANDED
MD2
France3–0IraqLANDEDNorway3–2SenegalLANDED
MD3
SenegalvIraqJun 26 · 19:00 UTCNorwayvFranceJun 26 · 19:00 UTC

Team’s other matches

France
France3–0IraqLANDEDNorwayvFranceJun 26 · 19:00 UTC
Senegal
Norway3–2SenegalLANDEDSenegalvIraqJun 26 · 19:00 UTC

Latest AI Predictions

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