Overview
- France will play Senegal at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, with coach Didier Deschamps publicly stating the squad’s objective is to start the tournament with a victory.
- The French staff has put in place an extensive heat‑mitigation programme that includes high fluid and salt intake, cold towels, mini pools and cryotherapy to protect players before matches.
- Defender William Saliba is being managed under a specific lumbar care protocol because his condition can vary day to day and could affect selection for the opening game.
- Early competition results have been uneven, with Germany routing debutants Curaçao 7-1 and Argentina reporting Lionel Messi fit to play, developments that already shift group dynamics.
- Organizational strains persist: many Senegalese supporters were denied U.S. tourist visas, Iran faced travel and base‑camp disruptions, and FIFA is examining footage of a VAR official’s hand gesture flagged by anti‑discrimination groups.