📅 2026 World Cup Fixture: Group I · Tuesday, June 16, 2026 · MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

France vs Senegal carries colonial history, footballing migration patterns, and one of the greatest World Cup upsets ever told. Senegal's 1-0 win over the defending champions France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup remains one of the tournament's most iconic results — and 24 years later, the two nations meet again with serious stakes.

Group I at the 2026 World Cup is widely considered the Group of Death. France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq form a brutal foursome, and this match could decide who tops the group.

All-Time Head-to-Head Record

Senegal lead the all-time head-to-head between France and Senegal, who have met 2 times at senior international level since 2002.

2 Meetings

0 France wins

1 Draws

1 Senegal wins

 

Stat	France	Senegal
Total wins	0	1
Goals scored	2	3
Goals per match	1.00	1.50
Win rate	0%	50%

Last meetings between France and Senegal

Date	Competition	Home	Away	Score
Mar 27, 2023	Friendly	France	Senegal	2-2
May 31, 2002	World Cup Group	Senegal	France	1-0

Biggest wins for each side

France's biggest result

France's only goalscoring effort came in the 2-2 friendly draw of March 2023, where the Bleus failed to convert a 2-1 lead.

Senegal's biggest result

Senegal 1–0 France, 2002 World Cup Group Stage, May 31, 2002, Seoul — Papa Bouba Diop's volley sent the defending champions tumbling and remains one of the most replayed moments in World Cup history.

The most famous match

2002 World Cup Opener — Senegal beat reigning world champions France 1-0 on May 31, 2002. France, missing an injured Zinedine Zidane, never recovered and crashed out of the group stage without scoring a goal — one of the biggest tournament upsets ever.

Top scorer in the rivalry

Papa Bouba Diop's iconic 2002 goal is the most famous strike in this fixture. He died in 2020 and is remembered every time these teams meet.

2026 World Cup Preview

Key players: France

Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Ousmane Dembélé, Eduardo Camavinga, Warren Zaïre-Emery. Didier Deschamps managing his last major tournament.

Key players: Senegal

Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr.

Match prediction

France are favored on paper, but Senegal have proven they can rise to the occasion against France specifically. Expect a cagey, physical contest. France 1-0 prediction, but a draw is genuinely possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the all-time head-to-head record between France and Senegal?

France and Senegal have met twice at senior level. Senegal won the famous 2002 World Cup opener 1-0, and the two played out a 2-2 friendly draw in March 2023. France have never beaten Senegal in a senior international.

When did Senegal beat France at the World Cup?

Senegal beat France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup on May 31, 2002, in Seoul. Papa Bouba Diop scored the winning goal in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

When did France last play Senegal?

France's last meeting with Senegal was a 2-2 friendly in March 2023. Both teams scored twice in a high-quality preparation match for the African Cup of Nations and Euro qualifiers.

When do France play Senegal at the 2026 World Cup?

France face Senegal in Group I of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Group I is widely considered the Group of Death.

Who scored Senegal's winning goal vs France in 2002?

Papa Bouba Diop scored the winning goal for Senegal against France in the 2002 World Cup opener. He volleyed home a loose ball after a saved Khalilou Fadiga shot in the 30th minute.

Why is France vs Senegal an important match?

Beyond football, France colonized Senegal until 1960, and many top French players (Patrick Vieira, Pape Matar Sarr's eligibility decisions, Mbappé's family ties) have Senegalese heritage. The 2002 result was both a sporting and symbolic moment.

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Last updated May 4, 2026. We will refresh this page after the 2026 World Cup match between France and Senegal.