France kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal on June 16, 2026. Kylian Mbappé shone brightly, scoring twice to set the tone for the tournament, as France aims to build on their previous successes.

The match started with France appearing cautious, struggling against Senegal’s pace and direct play in the first half. However, they regained control after the break and outclassed their opponents.

Key highlights from the match include:

• Kylian Mbappé: Dominated the game with two goals, showcasing his status as one of the world’s best players.
• Michael Olise: The creative force behind the attack, contributing an assist for Mbappé’s first goal and consistently threatening Senegal’s defense.
• Bradley Barcola: Made a significant impact off the bench, scoring a crucial goal that sealed the win.

Player Ratings:

• Mike Maignan – 6/10: Solid but should have dealt better with Senegal’s late goal.
• Jules Koundé – 6.5/10: Provided energy and reliability on the right flank.
• Dayot Upamecano – 7/10: Strong defensively, improved significantly after halftime.
• Aurélien Tchouaméni – 7/10: Key in regaining midfield control as Senegal tired.
• Kylian Mbappé – 9/10: A standout performer, proving crucial with two goals.
• Bradley Barcola – 8/10: Energized the attack and scored to secure the win.

Didier Deschamps will take encouragement from this performance as France looks to replicate their past World Cup successes.