France and Senegal have named their starting XIs as they open their World Cup 2026 campaigns in New Jersey tonight.Les Bleus were the 2018 winners and the 2022 runners-up and are highly fancied to go deep this time round. Recommended offer France v Senegal Super Boost Claim Boost 18+GambleAware.org For New Customers. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. While France remain packed with elite talent, Senegal will not be intimidated. The Lions of Teranga are appearing at a third successive World Cup and have developed into one of Africas most consistent international sides.Their qualification campaign was completed unbeaten, and they have kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches.With Norway and Panama also in Group I, both teams know that avoiding defeat in the opener could prove crucial.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: France team versus SenegalWorld Cup 2026: Senegal team versus FranceWhere to watch France v Senegal: TV channel, live online streamsWorld Cup 2026: France v Senegal statsResponsible GamblingWorld Cup 2026: France team versus SenegalDidier Deschamps has opted to select four attacking players while William Saliba has been passed fit to start in central defence.Adrien Rabiot is given the nod to partner Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield with both NGolo Kante and Warren Zaire-Emery on the bench.France:Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Mbappe, Olise, DoueSubstitutes:Samba, Risser, Gusto, Digne, Konate, L Hernandez, Lacroix, Kone, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Barcola, MatetaWorld Cup 2026: Senegal team versus FranceSadio Mane plays after missing the 2022 World Cup through injury.Suderlands Habib Diarra has to settle for a place among the substitutes, as does Iliman Ndiaye.Senegal:E Mendy; Koulibaly, Diatta, Niakhate, E Diouf; I Gueye, Camara, P Gueye; Mane, I Sarr, JacksonSubstitutes:Y Diouf, Diaw, M Sarr, Seck, Jakobs, A Mendy, Ciss, P Sarr, Diarra, B Ndiaye, Diao, Dieng, C Ndiaye, I Ndiaye, MbayeWhere to watch France v Senegal: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.Fans can stream the action on a vast range of devices through the BBC iPlayer app or BBC Sport website.World Cup 2026: France v Senegal statsSince 1998, France have reached the final in four of the seven editions (1998, 2006, 2018, 2022), which is at least twice as often as any other nation during that periodThey are aiming to become only the third team to reach the final in three consecutive editions, after West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002)The top scorer in a single FIFA World Cup is Frances Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in the 1958 edition and found the net in all six of Frances games, including a hat-trick in the opening match against Paraguay and four goals in the third-place play-off against West GermanyKylian Mbappe scored more goals (12) and recorded more goal involvements (14) than any other player across the previous two World Cup tournaments, including a hat-trick in the 2022 finalThis will be Didier Deschamps fourth World Cup as head coach only Carlos Alberto Parreira (6) and Bora Milutinovic (5) have more. Deschamps is also one of three individuals to win the tournament as a player and head coach, alongside Mario Zagallo and Franz BeckenbauerSenegal have qualified for their fourth World Cup, after 2002 (quarter-final), 2018 (group stage) and 2022 (round of 16)This is their third World Cup in a row, which is the joint-longest ongoing streak of appearances for an African team alongside Morocco and TunisiaThe Lions of Teranga have kept only one clean sheet in their 12 matches at the World Cup, which came during their first-ever match at the tournament, when they beat France in 2002All-time Senegal top scorer Sadio Mane missed the 2022 World Cup through injury. His sole participation came in 2018, playing all three group matches and scored once, against JapanThis will be Pape Thiaws first World Cup as a head coach. As a player, he featured in one match providing the assist for Henri Camaras golden goal against Sweden in 2002, which sent Senegal into the quarter-finals as part of their best performance at a single edition of the tournamentResponsible GamblingGambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support.National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week)GamCare: www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware: gambleaware.orgGamStop: www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion service)Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. 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