The cold water fell on Senegal right from the first match of the 2026 World Cup, but Aurélien Tchouaméni, midfielder for the French national team, firmly believes that the African champions will still make their mark in the competition. The 3-1 defeat against France at MetLife Stadium in New York did not erase the courage, talent, and ambition displayed by the Teranga Lions, who faced the 2022 World Cup runners-up eye to eye and, for long stretches, even seemed more dangerous on the pitch.
The inaugural clash of Group I, held in front of a vibrant crowd, was marked by the individual brilliance of Kylian Mbappé, who scored two goals that ultimately made the difference. Bradley Barcola also got his name on the scoresheet, taking advantage of a second half in which Senegal succumbed to French efficiency. Nevertheless, Ibrahim Mbaye revived African hopes with a goal that reduced the deficit to 2-1, but that moment was not enough to halt France’s momentum, which sealed the victory and now leads the group.
THE 2026 WORLD CUP IS EXPERIENCED WITH LEGO
This result puts Senegal in a delicate position, but it is far from being the end of the line for the team led by Aliou Cissé. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, promises to be a stage for strong emotions and twists, and the Senegalese, with their quality and experience, continue to be seen as serious contenders to advance in the competition. The expectation surrounding this team, which recently won the African title, remains high, both among fans and among formidable opponents.
Tchouaméni, in statements to Hoppen Media after the final whistle, did not hold back in praising the opponent: “Yes and no. Yes, because we see Senegal on television constantly. They are the African champions, everyone knows they have a great team, with great players. But only when you play against them do you really understand the level they have.” The French midfielder, a key player in the ‘bleus’ midfield, reinforced his confidence in the potential of the Senegalese to bounce back from this setback: “As I said, they are the African champions and, frankly, they are a great team. I think they will show their worth in this tournament.”
On the Senegalese side, goalkeeper Édouard Mendy took on the role of leader in the dressing room and challenged his teammates to turn things around in the next match: “We know our strengths and we know we are capable of much better. We lacked control in possession and we should have been more consistent in that area. But we also have to recognize that we faced a great French team,” said the former Chelsea goalkeeper, still reflecting on the game. He added: “Even if we had won, the group would still be open. Today we lost, but this is not over yet. Now we have to recover, focus on Norway, and get a result to keep ourselves in the fight.”
Mendy also highlighted the moments of danger created by Senegal, especially in the first half, lamenting the lack of effectiveness: “We had good situations, especially before halftime, but we couldn’t capitalize. Against a team like France, that is costly. At times, we were too passive. In the second half, we knew we had to raise our level and be more incisive in attack. We managed to do that at times, but against players of this caliber, you have to be perfect, both defensively and offensively. We cannot allow the slightest lapse in concentration.”
Senegal’s next challenge is scheduled for June 23, against a Norway team buoyed by their 4-1 victory over Iraq. The pressure is now on the Africans, who cannot afford to slip if they want to keep their aspirations intact in the World Cup. The opening defeat requires an immediate and resounding response — any misstep could be fatal in the race for qualification. The eyes of the world are on the Lions of Teranga, who now have the opportunity to prove that their setback against France was merely a bump in the road and that they remain ready to make an impact in this historic edition of the World Cup. Senegal’s response to this decisive moment will undoubtedly be one of the hottest topics in the upcoming round.
[YOU CAN NOW FOLLOW](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/brasil-volta-a-jogar-sem-neymar-frente-ao-haiti-no-mundial-2026/) THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – [HERE](https://mundialfutebol.com/)
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
