Senegal President Diomaye Faye to travel to USA to watch 2026 World Cup opener against France

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will travel to the United States to watch the national team’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He is expected to be at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 16 as the Lions of Teranga begin their campaign against France.

The confirmation came through the Senegalese Football Federation, which shared comments made by Senegal’s ambassador in Washington.

From the stands, President Faye will rally behind Pape Thiaw’s squad as they look to draw inspiration from the historic triumph of 2002, when Senegal stunned France in the opening game of the tournament in Korea and Japan.

The Teranga Lions of Senegal are one of nine countries that have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The African giants are in Group I, where they will also take on the free-scoring European side, Norway.

Senegal must start strongly in their opening match against France to increase the chances of advancing to the knockout stage.