France vs. Senegal: Head-to-head record and past meetings ahead of World Cup 2026 clash

By Ben Knapton | 14 Jun 2026 11:26, Last updated: 01 Jul 2026 01:44

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 4

France wins: 2

Draws: 0

Senegal wins: 2

Prior to France and Senegal's showdown at the 2026 World Cup, the African side boasted the head-to-head superiority over the 2018 global champions having won two of the first three meetings between the two countries in a competitive or non-competitive setting, including a momentous victory at the World Cup over two decades ago.

However, the Lions of Teranga were defeated in June 2026, losing 3-1 in part because of a stunning performance from Kylian Mbappe.

The Frenchman opened the scoring after being played through by Michael Olise shortly after the hour mark, before Bradley Barcola doubled the country's lead late on.

Ibrahim Mbaye managed to net one for Senegal in second-half stoppage time, but Mbappe's long-range strike moments later restored Les Bleus' two-goal lead.

France entered the 2002 edition as reigning champions and were paired up with Senegal in the group stage, but Les Bleus' title defence began in disastrous fashion with a 1-0 loss to their African counterparts.

The late Papa Bouba Diop struck the only goal of the game in the 30th minute, and France never recovered in the next fortnight, crashing out of the World Cup without a single win to their name while Senegal progressed to the last eight.

Almost 40 years prior, a historically significant match took place between Senegal and an amateur France side, who visited Dakar to take on the Lions of Teranga in the African Friendship Games.

Senegal bested Les Bleus 2-0 that day, seven years on from an emphatic 9-2 France triumph at the same venue, but the European giants now have their first competitive win in this matchup.