France vs Senegal Odds, Tips & Predictions: French Kick Off Tournament in New Jersey

France begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a Group I meeting with Senegal in East Rutherford. The French will be eyeing up all three points at MetLife Stadium.

France have some tricky fixtures, but Didier Deschamps’ men should secure their spot in the knockouts without much fuss. Iraq and Norway, who clash in Foxborough shortly after, are also in Group F. The French are many people’s tips to lift the trophy.

France vs Senegal Picks & Preview

France have been one of the top teams in the world in recent years, winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia and finishing runners-up in Qatar four years ago. Looking at the latest World Cup odds, the French are priced at 4/1 to go all the way.

France have won the World Cup twice and have been in four finals. They have featured in every World Cup since failing to qualify for USA 1994. The French eased through qualifying for the 2026 edition, winning five of six games.

Senegal are making their third consecutive World Cup appearance and their fourth overall. They reached the quarter-finals in 2002 and the Round of 16 in 2022. They would love to reach the knockout phase again, but how far can the African nation go in North America?

Senegal famously beat France in their first-ever World Cup group game in South Korea & Japan 24 years ago. In the opening fixture of the tournament, Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal in Seoul in what remains one of the shock results in World Cup history.

France lost their last game against African opposition, suffering a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up match a couple of weeks ago. However, they bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland, with the superb Michael Olise scoring a treble.

Senegal failed to win a World Cup warm-up game, losing 3-2 to USA and drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. Their last triumph was a 3-1 friendly victory over Gambia back in late March.

Going by the latest World Cup Group I odds, France are the strong favourites to reach the knockout phase as group winners. Deschamps’ men should kick off their tournament with a comfortable victory over the Senegalese.

At the 2022 World Cup, France hammered Australia 4-1 in their opening game, with Olivier Giroud (2), Adrien Rabiot, and Kylian Mbappe getting the goals. We could see a similar kind of scoreline in this one, and we like the look of 10Bet’s 7/2 for the French to win -2.

Our Prediction: France to Win -2 – 7/2

France vs Senegal Predictions

France are looking to make a fast start in their World Cup opener. Les Bleus have opened the scoring in five of their last six games, beating Brazil along the way. You can get France at 4/9 to score the opening goal of this game.

Mbappe finished as the top scorer at the 2022 World Cup, netting eight goals, including a hat-trick against Argentina in the final. In the pre-tournament World Cup Golden Boot odds, Mbappe has been the bookies’ favourite ever since France qualified.

The French skipper has an incredible goalscoring record for his national side, netting 56 times in 98 games. The Real Madrid No. 10 is set to make his 100th national team appearance against Iraq on matchday two in Group I.

Mbappe could be the main man for Deschamps in North America. The 27-year-old is looking to get off to a flying start, and we like the look of 16/5 for Mbappe to score the opening goal. Also, for those brave enough, you can get 20/1 for France's captain to score a hat-trick at MetLife Stadium.

Our Prediction: Kylian Mbappe to Score First – 16/5

Odds taken from 10Bet at 09:00 UK time, on June 16