Day 7 of the 2026 World Cup brings another packed schedule of matches across North America. The headline fixture sees defending champions France take on African champions Senegal in a blockbuster Group I clash at MetLife Stadium. This match is more than just a group stage game. It is a rematch of the famous 2002 World Cup opener, where Senegal shocked the world with a 1-0 victory over France.
Follow every match live with iScore.ai for real-time scores, stats and in-game analysis throughout the day. Whether you are tracking goals, corners or cards, iScore.ai has you covered across all 104 World Cup matches.
France vs Senegal Match Overview
France vs Senegal is the marquee match of Day 7. It brings together the defending world champions and the African champions in a fixture loaded with historical significance. The 2002 World Cup opener in Seoul saw Senegal, then World Cup debutants, stun a France side featuring Zidane, Vieira and Henry with a 1-0 victory. That result changed the trajectory of both teams. France crashed out in the group stage, while Senegal went on to reach the quarter-finals.
Both sides have changed dramatically since then. France are now the defending champions, having won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They arrive at this tournament as one of the favorites, with a squad packed with talent from across Europe's top leagues. Senegal have emerged as Africa's leading team, winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for this World Cup with an unbeaten record.
The match takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a capacity of 82,500. The stadium will be a sea of colors, with French and Senegalese fans making the trip in huge numbers. The atmosphere will be electric from kickoff to the final whistle.
From a tactical perspective, this is a fascinating matchup. France under Didier Deschamps favor a 4-3-3 formation with Mbappe as the focal point. Senegal under Aliou Cisse play with a compact 4-2-3-1, looking to hit on the counter through the pace of Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr. Both teams have quality throughout, but the battle in midfield will be key.
Today's World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
Day 7 features three matches across three venues, giving fans a full day of World Cup action. Here is the complete schedule:
3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT) - Uruguay vs Panama
BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Uruguay are strong favorites but Panama showed enough in qualifying to suggest they can compete. This is a Group F match where both teams need points.
6:00 PM ET (3:00 PM PT) - Poland vs Netherlands
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
This is a Group A clash between two European heavyweights. The Dutch are the favorites, but Poland have Robert Lewandowski and can hurt any team on their day.
9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT) - France vs Senegal
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
The headline match of the day. Defending champions against African champions. This has the potential to be one of the matches of the group stage.
Check iscore.ai for live score updates, minute-by-minute commentary and in-depth stats for all three matches. The platform provides real-time data including possession, shots, corners and cards.
France Team Preview: Mbappe and Co. Ready
France arrive at this World Cup as one of the favorites, and for good reason. They won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating Argentina in the final, and have largely kept the core of that squad together. Didier Deschamps has added young talent to the mix, creating a squad that is both experienced and dynamic.
Kylian Mbappe is the headline act. The Real Madrid forward has been in spectacular form this season, scoring over 40 goals for club and country. He is the heartbeat of this France side and the man Senegal will be desperate to stop. Mbappe is supported by Antoine Griezmann, who continues to pull the strings in midfield, and Karim Benzema, who provides the experience and guile up front.
The French midfield is packed with quality. Aurelien Tchouameni has developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, while Eduardo Camavinga adds energy and dynamism. The backline is led by Raphael Varane, who brings World Cup-winning experience, while Dayot Upamecano provides youth and athleticism.
France's biggest strength is their depth. Deschamps can call on quality options from the bench, including players like Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembele and Aurelien Tchouameni. This depth means France can change games and adapt to different situations throughout the tournament.
The only concern for France is their recent form. They have not looked entirely convincing in their warm-up matches, drawing with both Belgium and Croatia. But this is a team that knows how to win tournaments, and they often peak when it matters most.
Senegal Team Preview: African Champions Ready
Senegal arrive at this World Cup with genuine ambitions of making a deep run. They won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in dominant fashion, beating Egypt in the final, and went through qualifying unbeaten. Aliou Cisse has built a team that is organized, disciplined and dangerous on the counter.
Sadio Mane is the star man. The Bayern Munich forward has been in excellent form this season and will be looking to make his mark on the World Cup stage. Mane is supported by Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson, giving Senegal pace and trickery in the final third. The trio can hurt any team on their day.
The Senegal midfield is built around Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye, who provide the steel and protection that allows the forwards to express themselves. The backline is led by Kalidou Koulibaly, who brings Premier League experience and leadership to the heart of the defence.
Senegal's strength is their defensive organization. They are difficult to break down and are happy to absorb pressure before hitting teams on the counter. This approach has served them well in qualifying and at the Africa Cup of Nations, and they will look to employ it again against France.
The key for Senegal will be taking their chances. They are likely to have less possession than France, so they need to be clinical when opportunities arise. Mane, Sarr and Jackson have the quality to hurt teams, but they need to be at their best.
Key Tactical Battles to Watch
This match will be won and lost in several key battles across the pitch. Here are the ones to watch:
Mbappe vs Habib Diallo: This is the headline battle. Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, while Diallo has been one of the standout defenders in Ligue 1 this season. Diallo will need to be at his very best to contain Mbappe's pace and movement.
Griezmann vs Idrissa Gueye: Griezmann pulls the strings for France in midfield, while Gueye provides the steel for Senegal. If Gueye can stop Griezmann from dictating play, Senegal have a good chance. If Griezmann gets time and space, France will control the match.
Benzema vs Koulibaly: Benzema brings experience and guise, while Koulibaly brings leadership and defensive quality. This is a battle between two veterans who know how to win big matches.
France midfield vs Senegal midfield: Tchouameni and Camavinga will look to control the tempo for France, while Gueye and Gueye will look to disrupt. The team that wins this battle will likely win the match.
Track these battles and more with iscore.ai, which provides detailed player stats and head-to-head data throughout the match.
Prediction and Betting Odds
France are the favorites for this match, as they are for most matches they play. The bookmakers have them priced at 4/9, which reflects the quality in their squad and their status as defending champions. Senegal are available at 11/2, with the draw priced at 9/2.
However, Senegal are no pushovers. They have shown time and again that they can compete with Europe's elite, and they will be desperate to make a statement in this match. The expanded format means three points in the opener could be enough to advance, so both teams will go for the win.
My prediction is a 2-1 win for France. The quality in their squad should see them through, but Senegal will make them work for it. Expect goals in what should be an entertaining match.
Full odds: France 4/9, Draw 9/2, Senegal 11/2
Both teams to score: Yes 4/6, No 11/10
Over 2.5 goals: Yes 8/11, No 11/10
Mbappe to score: Yes 5/6, No 5/4
How to Follow Live
There are multiple ways to follow France vs Senegal and the other matches on Day 7:
Television: In the US, the match is on Fox Sports and Peacock. In the UK, it is on BBC. Check your local listings for coverage in your region.
Streaming: Peacock (US), BBC iPlayer (UK), FIFA+ (global). These platforms offer live streaming with commentary.
Live scores: iScore.ai provides real-time scores, stats and in-game analysis for free. The platform is available on web and mobile.
Social media: FIFA and participating national teams provide updates on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook. These are great for quick updates and behind-the-scenes content.
For the most comprehensive live experience, combine a streaming service with iScore.ai for detailed stats and analysis. This gives you both the visual and data aspects of the match.
FAQ
What time is France vs Senegal today?
France vs Senegal kicks off at 9:00 PM local time (3:00 AM UTC on June 17) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is a crucial Group I match that could decide who tops the group.
Where can I watch France vs Senegal live?
In the US, watch on Fox Sports and Peacock. In the UK, it is on BBC. For live scores and stats, visit iscore.ai for free real-time updates throughout the match.
Who are the favorites to win France vs Senegal?
France are favorites at 4/9 with most bookmakers. Senegal are priced at 11/2, with the draw at 9/2. However, Senegal have shown they can compete with Europe's elite, so do not rule out an upset.
What other matches are on today at the World Cup?
Day 7 features three matches: Uruguay vs Panama (3:00 PM ET), Poland vs Netherlands (6:00 PM ET), and France vs Senegal (9:00 PM ET). Follow all matches live on iscore.ai.