France forward Kylian Mbappé has described Senegal as a “great team” ahead of their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, June 16.

The Group I encounter will be only the second World Cup meeting between the two nations. Their previous clash came in the opening game of the 2002 tournament in South Korea, when debutants Senegal stunned defending champions France with a memorable 1-0 victory.

Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop scored the decisive goal in the 30th minute, reacting quickest during a scramble inside the penalty area to send the ball into the net.

The result remains one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history and contributed to France’s disappointing campaign, as the holders were eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal.

Senegal, meanwhile, enjoyed a historic run, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming meeting, Mbappé highlighted the history between the two sides and said it adds extra excitement to the fixture.

“The World Cup is full of exciting matches. We’re playing against a great team, and there is history between France and Senegal,” Mbappé said.

“It makes the match even more special and exciting. It’s going to be a great game.”

Mbappé also stressed the importance of making a strong start against Senegal, saying an early positive result could ease pressure around the team.

“The match is at 9pm in France, so the children won’t be in bed yet. It’s up to us to start well,” he said.

“It can help remove any early doubts because there will be some anxiety among people. Not among us, but among some. It will also give us those three points.”

France enter the tournament as one of world football’s biggest forces, having won the World Cup in 1998 and 2018, while also reaching the finals in 2006 and 2022. Senegal, meanwhile, have grown into one of Africa’s strongest national teams, qualifying for four World Cups in 2002, 2018, 2022 and 2026.

Former Senegal coach Alain Giresse believes the Lions of Teranga have the quality to make a deep run and at least reach the semi-finals.

“I think that from one World Cup to the next, Africa is moving forward and progressing. We saw Morocco reach the semi-finals in the last edition in Qatar,” Giresse said.

“With more African teams qualifying, the possibility of seeing even more nations reach the semi-finals is there. We have to take it step by step.

“I believe that one day an African country will play in a World Cup final. When it comes to Senegal, they have the potential to at least reach the semi-finals.

“Of course, unexpected moments can happen during matches, but the quality is there. African teams are increasingly showing a level that is getting closer to the world’s best.”