France open World Cup against Senegal in 2002 rematch
France face Senegal in New Jersey on Tuesday, renewing a World Cup matchup remembered for Senegal’s 2002 upset of the holders.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
France start their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday in a fixture tied to one of the tournament’s best-known upsets. Al Jazeera reported that the Group match at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey kicks off at 3 p.m. local time, or 19:00 GMT.
The countries have met once before, according to Al Jazeera: Senegal beat defending champion France 1-0 in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup in Seoul. Papa Bouba Diop scored after about half an hour, while Pape Thiaw, now Senegal’s coach, was among the Senegal players watching from the bench.
Al Jazeera reported that the rematch carries extra meaning for Senegal because 10 members of the squad were born in France. Senegal are in a group with France, Norway and Iraq.
Deschamps begins final push
France enter with Didier Deschamps trying to end a 14-year spell as national coach with another World Cup title, Al Jazeera reported. Deschamps captained France to the 1998 trophy, coached the team to the 2018 title in Russia and reached the 2022 final, where France lost to Argentina on penalties.
Al Jazeera reported that Deschamps’s contract is due to expire in July, with Zinedine Zidane described as waiting as a possible successor. The report said three more World Cup victories would give Deschamps 17 at the tournament, making him the most successful World Cup coach by that measure.
France’s qualification campaign was strong, according to Al Jazeera, with the team dropping only two points after drawing in Iceland. The report also noted a less convincing Euro 2024, where France lost to Spain in the semifinals after scoring four goals in six matches, including one penalty and two own goals.
Al Jazeera highlighted France’s attack, led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, with Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue also in the squad. Mbappe scored 42 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid, has 12 goals across the past two World Cups and is one short of Olivier Giroud’s France record of 57, according to the report.
Olise supplied 26 assists for Bayern Munich and scored a hat trick in France’s final warm-up against Northern Ireland after a 2-1 home defeat to Ivory Coast, Al Jazeera reported. Dembele averaged 1.4 goals and assists per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 while helping Paris Saint-Germain to consecutive Champions League titles, according to the same report.
Senegal arrive with disputed AFCON status
Senegal’s status as African champion remains unresolved, Al Jazeera reported, after the Confederation of African Football stripped the team of the title following a disputed final against Morocco in January. Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to the report.
Al Jazeera reported that Senegal walked off after Morocco were awarded a late penalty with the score level. Brahim Diaz missed after a long delay in the 24th minute of added time, and Papa Gueye later scored an extra-time winner before CAF removed the title, according to the report.
Senegal went unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, winning seven of 10 matches and conceding three goals, Al Jazeera reported. The report said their last competitive defeat, excluding the disputed AFCON final, was against England in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, and that they are unbeaten in 30 matches since.
Both teams are expected to be close to full strength, according to Al Jazeera. William Saliba has returned to full France training after aggravating a back injury, Jules Kounde has recovered from a knock, Sadio Mane is fit to start for Senegal and Idrissa Gueye is expected to be available despite leaving training early on Saturday.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.