Adrien Rabiot takes control of midfield in France’s World Cup debut against Senegal

The France team begins its journey in the 2026 World Cup this Tuesday (16), with midfielder Adrien Rabiot as the central piece to dictate the team’s rhythm. The match valid for the first round of Group I takes place at the imposing MetLife Stadium, located in the city of East Rutherford, in the United States. At 31 years old, the player carries the heavy responsibility of organizing the creative sector, protecting the defensive line and providing the powerful attack mounted by coach Didier Deschamps.

Recent performance in Italian football consolidates the midfielder’s ownership

Since arriving at AC Milan in September 2025, the midfielder has built solid numbers that justify his unquestionable presence among the European team’s starters. During the 2025/2026 Serie A season, the athlete played 29 matches, directly contributing with six goals scored and four assists. This physical and technical consistency transformed the player into a true engine on the field, capable of operating from area to area with extreme efficiency during the ninety minutes.

The tactical scheme designed by the French technical committee requires exactly this profile of intense movement and spatial intelligence. Playing alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni and the young Warren Zaïre-Emery, the athlete functions as a fundamental balance point for the team’s structure. His ability to disarm opponents and initiate quick transitions allows attacking stars like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise to play with greater freedom, without the need to constantly drop back to seek possession of the ball in the backfield.

The ghost of the historic defeat of 2002 returns to surround the confrontation

The meeting between the two nations carries immense historical weight, directly referring to the opening match of the World Cup held in South Korea and Japan, exactly 24 years ago. On that occasion, the African team surprised the planet by defeating the then current world champions 1-0, thanks to an unforgettable goal from midfielder Papa Bouba Diop. This result marked one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament and serves as a permanent warning for the current star-studded European squad, avoiding any atmosphere of high heels.

Currently occupying 15th position in the FIFA rankings, the team led by coach Pape Thiaw seeks to repeat the heroic feat of the past with a new generation of talent. To achieve this, the Lions of Teranga are betting on the solidity of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly to hold back the opponent’s momentum in the penalty area. In the offensive sector, Sadio Mané’s international experience and Nicolas Jackson’s physical explosion represent the main weapons to exploit possible gaps in European marking during quick counterattacks.

Defined strategies and lineups prepared for the clash in the United States

Preparation for the duel required maximum attention to tactical details from both sides during closed training. The European defense, made up of big names such as William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé and Theo Hernández, will need to keep the line high without giving up space behind the full-backs. On the other side, the African team must congest the midfield with Krépin Diatta and Moussa Niakhaté, forcing opponents to look for plays on the edges of the field. Iranian referee Alireza Faghani was chosen by the organization to conduct the match, bringing his characteristic of applying high disciplinary rigor from the opening minutes.

The technical committees have already signaled the teams that should enter the MetLife Stadium’s synthetic turf to compete for the first three points in Group I:

• France’s likely lineup: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernández; Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Kylian Mbappé.
• Senegal’s likely lineup: Édouard Mendy; Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhaté; Reinforced containment system in midfield, with Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson commanding speed actions in attack.

Importance of the result for the sequence of the international competition

Achieving a victory in the opening round means taking a giant step towards qualifying for the knockout stage, especially in a group that requires regularity and goal difference. European favoritism is evident due to the depth of the squad and the extremely high technical level of the players available, even on the bench. The physical strength and tactical organization of the Senegalese, however, promise to turn the game into a real battle for space in the central strip of the pitch.

Expectations from the organizers of the event point to completely packed stands at the East Rutherford sports complex, an arena traditionally used to hosting major sporting events. The massive presence of fans of both nationalities, added to local football fans, will create a vibrant atmosphere to closely follow the performance of some of the highest paid and most recognized athletes on the planet.

Broadcast options available to fans in Brazilian territory

Sports fans who follow the tournament directly from Brazil have different alternatives to watch the match live and with narration in Portuguese. The match is scheduled to start at 4pm, considering the official Brasília time zone. The broadcast on open television is the responsibility of the SBT network, guaranteeing free access to the general public throughout the national territory.

In addition to conventional television, the digital market offers complete coverage of the clash through the Globoplay streaming platform and other partner services. This multiplicity of screens allows spectators to follow every pass, tackle and finish carried out by the elite squads seeking maximum glory in world football in this first round.