Twenty-four years have passed since Senegal wrote one of the greatest chapters in African football history by defeating France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Today, the two nations meet again at the 2026 World Cup, with one major question on everyone's mind: Can Senegal repeat that historic feat?
In 2002, Senegal were making their World Cup debut but stunned the football world with a famous victory secured by a goal from the late Papa Bouba Diop. That triumph helped Senegal reach the quarterfinals and remains one of the greatest achievements ever recorded by an African nation at the World Cup.
This time, however, the circumstances are different. France arrive as one of the tournament favorites, led by star forward Kylian Mbappé and a squad packed with talent. Head coach Didier Deschamps has said he is not focused on seeking revenge for the 2002 result, emphasizing that this is an entirely new match involving a new generation of players.
For Senegal, head coach Pape Thiaw views the match as a special occasion. Thiaw was part of Senegal’s squad during the 2002 World Cup and now returns as the team’s head coach. He has stated that a victory over France in the modern era should not be viewed as a major shock, given the significant progress of African football and the quality of his current squad.
Senegal still possess game-changing stars such as Sadio Mané and carry the memories of that historic victory, which continues to inspire their supporters. However, France enter the contest with the advantage of a deeper squad, greater experience in major tournaments, and exceptional individual talent throughout the team.
Even so, history has shown that Senegal should never be underestimated. In 2002, few gave them a chance against the reigning world champions, yet they delivered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Once again, they are considered underdogs against France, a status that could provide extra motivation for the Lions of Teranga.
