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SOCCER: Saliba to start for France against Senegal

France coach Didier Deschamps has named William Saliba in the starting lineup despite the defender's recent back issues as Les Bleus begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal. Desire Doue joins Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in attack, while Senegal rely on stars Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson.

Reuters

June 17, 2026

SOCCER: Saliba to start for France against Senegal

Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France defender William Saliba (17) and Senegal forward Sadio Mane (10) battle for the ball during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images/Reuters

William Saliba, who has been struggling with back pain, will start in France's central defence as Les Bleus kick off their World Cup campaign with a Group I clash against Senegal on Tuesday.


  • France coach Didier Deschamps opts for Desire Doue in attack, leaving Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola on the bench

  • Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez start at full back

  • Senegal's Lamine Camara to start in midfield with Habib Diarra left on the bench.


France: Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe (captain), Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele.


Senegal: Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly (captain), Moussa Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson.


-Reporting by Julien Pretot, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters

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