France – Senegal

The Senegalese won't be easy opponents for the tournament favorites.

The French national team will play in North America as the current world runner-up. At the last World Cup in Qatar, the French lost the final to Argentina, having every chance to win. In 2018 France won the World Cup for the second time in its history, which took place in Russia. Given such impressive results from the latest world championships, it is not surprising that bookmakers' odds place Didier Deschamps' team as the second favourite of the current tournament. France earned their place in North America in the qualifying group with Azerbaijan, Iceland and Ukraine, taking first place practically without a fight. Overall, the atmosphere in this squad is normal. Senegal also did not suffer any defeats in the African qualifying tournament. Pape Tiaw's charges advanced to the 2026 World Cup, ahead of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A two-point difference between the teams was the result of Senegal's victory in the head-to-head against their direct rival with a score of 3:2. Bookmakers named the nominal hosts as favorites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 1.47 on their victory. It cannot be said that the French football public anxiously awaits the start of their team at the 2026 World Cup. At the last Euro the French displayed extremely pragmatic football, which did not allow them to reach the final. And in the latest Nations League the French players managed to finish only third. In four friendly matches before the start of the World Cup, France won three times and lost once. It is noteworthy that in all the matches the French conceded at least one goal. Against Senegal the French national team began the World Cup in 2002 as well. Then, as reigning world champions, the French players lost to the Africans 0-1, which subsequently led to elimination from the bottom of their group. Senegal has qualified for the World Cup for the fourth time since 2002. It was at their debut World Cup that the Senegalese delivered their best result, reaching the quarterfinals. A strong and disciplined team fully demonstrated its class at the last Africa Cup of Nations. The Senegalese will give the favourites a fight.