France-Senegal: French supporters set Times Square ablaze on eve of World Cup

World Cup fever gripped Times Square on Monday evening, less than twenty-four hours before the kickoff of France-Senegal, the Blues’ opening match in this 2026 World Cup being held in the United States.

French supporters gathered in the heart of Manhattan to heat up the atmosphere ahead of the Group I encounter, scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. in New York. Blue-white-red flags, chants and colors transformed one of the world’s most frequented squares into an improvised grandstand.

They were not alone, however, in claiming the space. Argentine and Algerian fans — two nations facing off in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday in Kansas City — also made the trip, creating a rare blend of colors and atmospheres, even for a city accustomed to major gatherings.