France are one of the tournament favorites but face one of the toughest groups in 2026. Group I with Senegal, Norway and the Intercontinental Playoff 2 winner is widely called the Group of Death. Here is France's full schedule and what it means.
FRANCE'S GROUP
France are in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway and the Intercontinental Playoff 2 winner (Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname, confirmed March 2026).
FRANCE'S GROUP STAGE FIXTURES
Match 1: France vs. Senegal
Date: Tuesday, June 16
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
This is one of the most anticipated matches in the entire tournament. France are the pre-match favorite. Senegal beat France 1-0 in 2002. Both teams know the history. Both teams will come in fully prepared. MetLife Stadium holds 82,500. This crowd will be extraordinary.
Match 2: France vs. Intercontinental Playoff 2 Winner
Date: Monday, June 22
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET (approx)
France face their most manageable opponent in the group. Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname represents the weakest side France will face. This should be a comfortable win that builds goal difference.
Match 3: France vs. Norway
Date: Friday, June 26
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kickoff: Simultaneous with Senegal vs. IC PO-2 Winner
France vs. Norway could be the group decider. Both teams want to top the group and get a favorable bracket position. Erling Haaland against France's defense is one of the most compelling individual matchups of the entire group stage.
THE 2002 HISTORY
Senegal beat France 1-0 in Seol, South Korea. Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal in the group stage of the 2002 2026 World Cup France Schedule. France, who had won the 1998 World Cup on home soil and Euro 2000, were eliminated in the group stage having failed to score a goal. It remains one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
In 2026, the matchup is different. France are stronger. Senegal are stronger. The rematch on June 16 in New Jersey will be watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
FRANCE'S THREAT
Kylian Mbappé is France's defining player. His speed, finishing and creativity make him the most dangerous attacker in world football. If France manage Group I and advance, Mbappé's ability to single-handedly change games in the knockout rounds makes France a genuine title contender.
The squad around Mbappé has experienced players in every position. France have the depth to manage a tough group and still arrive in the knockout rounds in good condition.
FRANCE'S BRACKET PATHWAY
France are in the same bracket pathway as Argentina. If both teams advance and win their bracket halves, France vs. Argentina in the semifinals is a possibility. That is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup Final, one of the greatest finals ever played. If they meet in 2026, it would be an event of historic proportions.
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