France Gears Up for World Cup 2026 Opener Against Senegal with Strong Institutional and Team Support

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, France is preparing for its opening match against Senegal on June 16, 2026. The game is scheduled for 21:00 CEST and will be held at the MetLife Stadium in the United States, accommodating the East Coast’s time zone. Fans can watch the match live on M6 without subscription or on beIN Sports 1 for subscribers.

The French government is showing robust institutional support with Marina Ferrari, the Minister of Sports, Youth, and Associative Life, set to attend the match to encourage the national team led by coach Didier Deschamps. The minister's visit also extends beyond sports, aiming to bolster business relations between American companies and French firms operating in the U.S. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), will accompany Ferrari to leverage the event’s visibility for promoting synergies between French football and the business sector in North America.

On the players’ side, defender William Saliba expressed his ambition to win the World Cup, acknowledging the immense pressure that comes with wearing the French jersey. Saliba, who recently achieved success with Arsenal as Premier League champions and Champions League finalists, noted ongoing back pain but confirmed he is receiving proper treatment to perform optimally. Reflecting on France’s 2018 World Cup victory, Saliba emphasized the pride and responsibility involved, saying, “The team of France is the Grail. You carry the responsibility of an entire country, even those who don’t like football watch you.” He also mentioned his dream of emulating his childhood hero Zinédine Zidane.

This match represents not only a sporting milestone but also a strategic opportunity both on and off the pitch as France looks to begin its World Cup journey with a strong start and valuable international ties.