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Both nations have a good chance of reaching the round of 16 in Group I of the 2026 World Cup. However, besides the opening match, the decisive factor will be the result against Norway, who are considered one of the dark horses for the title. Both teams are desperate to avoid defeat in this first group game. Although France have scored in each of their last twelve international matches, and even netted two or more goals in eleven of those games, this game with Senegal is not going to be an easy affair. Adding to this is the fact that the Senegal are extremely compact defensively and have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 15 international matches in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Didier Deschamps' team is ultimately a well-established unit that recently defeated top nations like Brazil 2-1 and Colombia 3-1. At the end a French victory will be something quite normal, however, the West Africans are capable if losing to not do it with more than a goal.