France’s players take part in a training session.
Doha, Qatar: More than two decades after one of the greatest upsets in FIFA World Cup history, France and Senegal are set to renew acquaintances when they launch their Group I campaigns at the New York-New Jersey Stadium today.
For France, the memories are impossible to ignore.
Back in 2002, Les Bleus arrived in Seoul as reigning world and European champions and overwhelming favourites against World Cup debutants Senegal. Ninety minutes later, Papa Bouba Diop had written his name into football history with the only goal of the match as the fearless Lions of Teranga stunned France 1- 0 and sent the holders on a downward spiral that ended with a humiliating group-stage exit.
Twenty-four years later, the two nations meet again for only the second time, with Senegal still holding a perfect record in the fixture and carrying the confidence that history has already shown they are capable of upsetting one of football’s giants.
France arrive in the United States among the favourites to lift the trophy. Didier Deschamps’ side breezed through European qualifying and are aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup final after winning the title in 2018 and finishing runners-up to Argentina in Qatar four years ago. Led by one of the few men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, France possess an enviable blend of experience and attacking talent.
“I have a lot of top-quality players, but for many of them this will be their first World Cup. I’m not going to say that France is stronger than everyone else, but Spain is the clear favourite,” said Deschamps.
“This first match is very important,” said Deschamps. “Starting with a win in a four-team group is ideal; that’s always the aim going into the first match. Senegal are a very, very high-level opponent. We have the same expectations and the same respect as we do for other opponents, but I know Senegal’s potential,” he said.
France coach, Didier Deschamps
They have won four of their last five matches and are widely expected to challenge for top spot in Group I, which also features Norway and Iraq.
Senegal have established themselves as one of Africa’s leading forces and have shown they can compete with the world’s elite after reaching the Round of 16 in Qatar.
Although they are still recovering from the disappointment of losing the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final to Morocco, Pape Thiaw’s side believe they boast enough quality to trouble any opponent.
Veteran forward Sadio Mane remains the team’s inspirational figure. The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star enjoyed another productive campaign with Al Nassr, contributing 23 goals and assists while helping the Saudi club capture their first league title.
Alongside him, Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye will ensure Senegal have plenty of attacking weapons capable of unsettling the French defence.
France, meanwhile, will once again look to Kylian Mbappe to lead the charge. The Real Madrid striker continues to rewrite records and enters his third World Cup within touching distance of becoming France’s all-time leading scorer. He is also climbing rapidly up the list of the competition’s greatest marksmen.
Les Bleus also possess one of the most feared attacks in the tournament, with in-form stars Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue providing ample support for Mbappe, and are widely tipped to make another deep run.
World Cups have a habit of producing unforgettable moments and this latest chapter between France and Senegal promises to be one of the standout fixtures.
With Norway lurking in what many regard as a fiercely competitive Group I which also features Iraq, neither side can afford to make a false start.
