World Cup recap: Mbappé with brace to give France win over Senegal - ESPN
It was time for Les Bleus to kick off their FIFA World Cup campaign as they took on African powerhouse Senegal at MetLife Stadium.
Didier Deschamps Sport News
Heavyweights Argentina and France start World Cup quests
LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Kylian Mbappe’s France, the two teams who contested a thrilling World Cup final four years ago, roar into the 2026 tournament on Tuesday. Argentina, who won that dramatic contest in Doha in a penalty shootout after it finished 3-3 following extra time, take on Algeria in Kansas City. Messi is set to play in a sixth World Cup and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the 38-year-old linchpin of his team “looks good” despite suffering a hamstring injury playing for club side Inter Miami in late May. “Everyone wants to see him out on the pitch, not just Argentines, because of the impact he has on people,” Scaloni said at his pre-match press conference. “He has always been crucial for us and now he will be even more so. He looks good.” Messi proved his fitness by coming on as a substitute and scoring in a warm-up against Iceland last week. “He’s a competitive animal,” said center-back Nicolas Otamendi.
France's World Cup hopes may hinge on attack outweighing defensive flaws
NEW YORK, June 16 : France's route to World Cup glory may once again depend less on keeping goals out than scoring more than everyone else, with Kylian Mbappe's double in a 3-1 win over Senegal highlighting the attacking depth that could compensate for lingering defensive frailties.
Saliba to start for France against Senegal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 16 : William Saliba, who has been struggling with back pain, will start in France's central defence as Les Bleus kick off their World Cup campaign with a Group I clash against Senegal on Tuesday.
World Cup Match Day 6: Messi, Mbappé, Haaland Headline Star-Studded Slate
Tuesday is one of the most star-studded days in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kylian Mbappé and France begin the day by taking on one of Africa’s best teams in Senegal. The second game features Erling Haaland and Norway beginning their tournament run when they face Iraq.
Heavyweights Argentina and France start World Cup quests
LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi's Argentina and Kylian Mbappe's France, the two teams that contested a thrilling World Cup final four years ago, roar into the 2026 tournament on Tuesday (Jun 16).
Pogba backs Mbappe to lead France on and off the pitch
NEW YORK: France begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal on Tuesday night (10 p.m., KSA) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Didier Deschamps’ side once again among the favorites to challenge for football’s biggest prize.
No thoughts of revenge as France start World Cup against Senegal, says Deschamps
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 15 : France coach Didier Deschamps said his side were not out for revenge in their World Cup opener against Senegal on Tuesday, 24 years after an opening loss to the African powerhouse preceded a calamitous group-stage exit and a bitter memory for their fans.