How to Watch France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Next Match Details and Broadcast Info

France’s Upcoming Match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The first group stage match for France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be against Senegal. This opening fixture takes place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Both teams are football powerhouses, so expect widespread coverage across free and premium channels.

Group I Opponents and Schedule

• June 16: Senegal at MetLife Stadium, 21:00 CEST
• June 22: Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium, 23:00 CEST
• June 26: Norway at Boston Stadium, 21:00 CEST

Broadcasting Rights in France

The 2026 World Cup marks a big change in France’s TV coverage. For the first time in nearly five decades, TF1 is not airing matches. Instead, free-to-air broadcasts are on M6, which will show 54 games live and free. Their digital platform, M6+, streams these matches as well, making it easy to watch on mobile devices.

For viewers wanting every single game, beIN SPORTS has the exclusive pay-TV rights for all 104 matches. Half of these will also air on M6, but the rest remain exclusive to beIN SPORTS. Subscribers can use beIN SPORTS CONNECT to access multi-screen coverage, replays, and different camera angles.

Watching on FuboTV

Fubo is a great option for those in North America wanting full access to France’s games and other group matches. It provides official feeds from broadcasters like FOX and FS1 in English or Telemundo in Spanish. Select matches are even available in 4K HDR for stunning visuals.

Fubo offers cloud DVR storage to record matches and stream later, plus multi-screen streaming to follow multiple games or stats simultaneously. New users can try a free trial as the group stage kicks off. Note that Fubo is geo-restricted, so travelers may need a VPN to access their usual channels.

France's Road to the 2026 World Cup

Coming off a narrow loss to Argentina in the 2022 final, Les Bleus arrive in 2026 with high hopes. This squad blends seasoned leaders like captain Kylian Mbappé with exciting young talents. The French team sees this tournament as a chance to reclaim their spot among football’s elite.

The qualifiers were strong, with France unbeaten—five wins and one draw. Mbappé was vital, scoring five goals during qualifying to top the charts for his team. Under coach Didier Deschamps, who has led since 2012, the team shows tactical discipline and sharp transitions.

Deschamps favors a balanced approach, focusing on defensive solidity while capitalizing quickly on opponents’ mistakes. Players like Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise bring technical skill, while defender William Saliba anchors the backline with composure and speed. The challenge will be to maintain creativity up front without relying solely on individual moments of brilliance.

FAQs About France in the 2026 World Cup

• Which group is France in? Group I with Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.
• When is France’s first match? Against Senegal on June 16th.
• Where is France based during the tournament? Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Who are key French players? Kylian Mbappé leads the attack, joined by Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise; William Saliba anchors defense.
• Which broadcasters show France’s games? Free matches on M6; full tournament on beIN Sports.
• How many times has France qualified? Including 2026, 17 appearances with two World Cup titles.