2026 World Cup Draw: France and Senegal to clash in Group I opener on June 16

Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off in dramatic fashion with Favourite France set to take on African heavyweights Senegal on 16 June at 16:00.

The match will be staged at either MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, or Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with fans eagerly anticipating a battle between Europe’s finest and one of Africa’s most formidable sides.

Senegal, coming off a historic qualification campaign, will face their toughest test of the group in this opening fixture, needing a strong performance to build momentum.

France, known for their attacking firepower and world-class talent, will aim to assert dominance and set the pace in a group that also features Norway and the team emerging from FIFA Playoff 2.

After this challenging opener, Senegal will turn their attention to free-scoring Norway, ensuring that every match in Group I carries high stakes and intense competition.

Fans can expect an enthralling display of skill, strategy, and resilience as both teams vie for an early advantage in the race to the knockout stages.