Twenty-four years later, Senegal national football team meets France national football team in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in East Rutherford.
Senegal made their mark on the world stage in 2002, taking a resounding 1–0 win over the reigning world champions and propelling the French into an early exit. The Lions of Teranga will now wish lightning will strike twice as they take on one of the favourites in the 2026 race.
Match Preview
France are one of the tournament's pre-tournament favourites, behind only Spain. With this World Cup, head coach Didier Deschamps has capped off a historic managerial career.
Having been the only player and coach to win the World Cup, Deschamps will pass on the management baton to Zinedine Zidane at the end of the World Cup. He is also on the verge of equaling Helmut Schön's all-time World Cup record of wins as manager.
France have been consistent, having made it to the final four times in their last seven World Cups and winning in 2018. The qualification run was just as strong with only two points lost along the way, en route to an eighth-straight berth in the finals.
A rare 2-1 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast earlier this month caused a stir for a brief time but then Les Bleus bounced back with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland. With that win, France continued a tremendous home run of 9-2 in their past 10 games, showing their punishing attacking depth.
Senegal’s Road to the World Cup
Senegal, like France, enter the World Cup unbeaten in qualification, having played in its third straight tournament. Ballons are constantly rising after making it to the last 16 in Qatar in 2022, and this is for a team that has now become a regular player on the world stage.
In between World Cups, Senegal won the African Cup of Nations in 2021, and they might become champions once more if CAF's decision that Morocco won the 2025 edition is overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Head coach Pape Thiaw has worked on some things and others haven't worked out. A friendly win over Peru, and win over Gambia, followed by a close 3–2 defeat against co-hosts USA and a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia. The latter put an end to a 17-game scoreless run, but also Senegal's fifth shutout in seven games, showing a maturing defense.
Thiaw himself was a member of the Senegal team which faced France in 2002 and from the bench, he watched his team mate Papa Bouba Diop score the iconic goal in Seoul.
Team News & Key Players
France were initially worried about a back problem being a problem for William Saliba, but the Arsenal centre-back has been back to full training. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan has also been back to normal training after undergoing load management while Jules Koundé has recovered from a minor muscle strain.
Kylian Mbappé is on the radar as all eyes will be on him to see if he can push up his international tally to 57, one shy of the all-time mark held by Olivier Giroud.
Senegal, meanwhile, return talisman Sadio Mané, who was injured to miss the 2022 World Cup. The Al-Nassr star continues to be the top scorer and chief creative force for his country.
Thiaw's squad has a few minor fitness issues—Idrissa Gueye has been eased into training and Chérif Ndiaye will be a likely back-up to the regular starting XI. Nicolas Jackson is expected to be the leader at the top of the line after being issued a red card in a friendly.
Predicted Lineups
France:
Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernández; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Olise, Doué, Mbappé; Dembélé
Senegal:
Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Diouf; Camara, P. Gueye; Sarr, Diarra, Mané; Jackson
Prediction
France 2–2 Senegal
