Dugout Discussion
16 June 2026 171 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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In their first meeting since the shock 2002 World Cup opener, France and Senegal square off at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Kick-off in the Group I curtain-raiser is at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Jules Kounde ($5.4m) gave France an injury scare in their final pre-tournament friendly but he’s fit enough to start at right-back this evening.

William Saliba ($5.3m) has also had his fitness concerns over the last fortnight but joins Kounde in Les Bleus’ back four.

The front four of Michael Olise ($9.5m), Ousmane Dembele ($10.0m), Desire Doue ($7.5m) and Kylian Mbappe ($10.5m) is as expected, and indeed the one that Didier Deschamps sent out for the 3-1 win over Northern Ireland last Monday.

In fact, the entire starting XI remains unchanged from that game.

Rayan Cherki ($6.0m) has to settle for a place among the substitutes, then.

The Manchester City man is among seven France players with an ownership of over 5% in World Cup Fantasy. The others, Mbappe, Olise, Dembele, Saliba, Kounde and Mike Maignan ($5.0m), all start.

As for Senegal, not one of their squad members enjoys anywhere near that level of popularity.

Sadio Mane ($7.6m) and Edouard Mendy ($4.5m), owned by 1.8% and 1.1% of managers respectively, are their most-selected players.

There aren’t too many shocks with Pape Thiaw’s line-up, with Nicolas Jackson‘s ($6.7m) red card against Saudi Arabia a week ago not affecting his availability for today’s game.

LINE-UPS

France XI: Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembele, Doue, Mbappe.

Subs: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Digne, Konate, L Hernandez, Lacroix, Kone, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Barcola, Mateta.

Senegal XI: E Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, E Diouf, Camara, I Gueye, P Gueye, I Sarr, Mane, Jackson.

Subs: Y Diouf, Diaw, M Sarr, Seck, Jakobs, A Mendy, Ciss, P Sarr, Diarra ,C Ndiaye, Diao, Dieng, I Ndiaye, Mbaye.


171 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ak Attack
    • 4 Years
    3 hours, 59 mins ago

    I have Haaland as C. Ryerson VC. Only one player left which is Bruno F.

    Will this fantasy world cup platform still allow me to change C Bruno F if I decide to change C or I can't as my VC has to also change ?

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 hours, 56 mins ago

      I think that's only an issue if you try changing VC to C.

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 hours, 51 mins ago

        I think your correct

      2. Ak Attack
        • 4 Years
        3 hours, 38 mins ago

        Yes that may be it

    2. Kevin and Perry go
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 hours, 50 mins ago

      If you can’t change your captain you have to change the vice first

      1. Ak Attack
        • 4 Years
        3 hours, 38 mins ago

        Thanks

  2. puma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 hours, 58 mins ago

    Well, my last second change from Mbappe to Haaland does not look so great currently. Let's go Haaland!!!!

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 56 mins ago

    Site down? Unable to log in.

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 hours, 54 mins ago

      works for me

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 54 mins ago

      Same!

  4. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 hours, 56 mins ago

    Commentator asked Henry if Mbappe has proven he is the best French Player in history

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 hours, 54 mins ago

      Best goalscorer. Wouldn't lace Zizou's boots.

    2. Kevin and Perry go
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 hours, 53 mins ago

      The should be no

    3. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      3 hours, 14 mins ago

      Hes not even the best in the current X1, with Olise looking the real deal

  5. Schick's Heaven
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 hours, 53 mins ago

    Is the site crashing for anyone else?

  6. Kevin and Perry go
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 hours, 53 mins ago

    Are we sticking with mbappe captain or moving to haland?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 hours, 51 mins ago

      How many other deadly sins are you sporting?

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 hours, 22 mins ago

        X

    2. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 50 mins ago

      Gotta be sticking with 2 goals

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 hours, 36 mins ago

        Your probably right x

        1. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          2 hours, 46 mins ago

          Maybe not.. 😀

        2. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          2 hours, 32 mins ago

          Well it’s looking like I was wrong!

    3. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 36 mins ago

      For those sticking with Mbappe as captain
      Haaland has reportedly been seen warming up by practicing his goalscoring celebrations

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 hours, 34 mins ago

        Yeah good one you gimp. That said if he gets another Hatrick haha.

      2. NZREDS
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 44 mins ago

        Warmed up well!