France's National Football Team Prepares for World Cup Kickoff in New York

New York – June 15, 2026: The French national football team arrived in New York on Sunday evening, June 14, 2026, and set up camp at the Westin Hotel in Jersey City, opposite Manhattan. They will remain there until their first World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, against Senegal. The “Bleus” used their final training sessions in Boston to specifically prepare for the opening match.

The opening game will take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 9:00 p.m. CEST. Their opponent is Senegal, who reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and impressed during the African qualifiers. Expectations for the French team are high, as despite a strong offense, their defense is seen critically – a parallel to the performances shown by Paris Saint-Germain three years ago.

For French fans in New York, the anticipation is palpable. Yonatan, a devoted admirer of Paris Saint-Germain and the national team, even canceled his restaurant reservation to meet the players at the hotel. He reaffirmed his support and hopes for a successful World Cup for the “Bleus.”

The team has strategically planned their stay: by adjusting training times to the match schedule, the players are optimally preparing for the climatic conditions. Temperatures during training in Boston ranged between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius. On match day, New York is expected to have milder weather, between 25 and 27 degrees, which should provide better playing conditions.

The hotel in Jersey City is quiet and offers views of the Manhattan skyline, providing the team ideal conditions for concentration and recovery before the big World Cup start. The well-coordinated squad remains focused and aims to secure crucial points against Senegal in the fight to advance to the knockout stages.

Besides the team, the fans are also enjoying the rising excitement and preparing to loudly support their team at the stadium. The match against Senegal marks France’s kickoff in a tournament considered particularly exciting given the strong competition from North and Central America, with Canada, Mexico, and the USA hosting cities and stadiums.

The 2026 World Cup promises impressive matches, and France’s national team wants to play a decisive role. Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Senegal, the team faces an important test that could significantly influence their progress in the tournament.