Star-Studded France Meet Senegal Again in Echo of 2002 Upset

TDT | Manama

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Two-time champions France begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign tonight against Senegal in a Group I clash at the New York–New Jersey Stadium, with kick-off at 10pm Bahrain time. The fixture brings together one of the tournament favourites and a side with a proven ability to cause major upsets.

The match revives memories of one of World Cup football’s most famous shocks, when Senegal stunned France 1–0 in 2002 on their tournament debut. More than two decades later, the Teranga Lions return with renewed belief, while Les Bleus arrive as global heavyweights carrying high expectations.

France, coached by Didier Deschamps, remain among the leading contenders after finishing runners-up at the 2022 World Cup, where they lost on penalties to Argentina in a dramatic final in Qatar. That match featured a standout performance from Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick and finished as the tournament’s Golden Boot winner, though France ultimately fell short in the shootout.

Now at Real Madrid, Mbappé remains central to France’s ambitions, having scored more goals (12) across the last two World Cups than any other player. The European giants are also chasing rare history, aiming to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, after West Germany and Brazil.

Senegal, meanwhile, arrive as one of Africa’s most consistent international sides, though their World Cup history has often featured defensive vulnerabilities. They have kept just one clean sheet in 12 World Cup matches — in the famous 1–0 win over France in 2002.

Head coach Pape Thiaw’s side come into the tournament in confident form after a strong qualifying campaign and a successful Africa Cup of Nations run earlier this year. However, that triumph was later overshadowed by controversy after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result following a disputed penalty decision in the final against Morocco, with Senegal’s players walking off in protest before the title was ultimately awarded to their opponents.

Sadio Mané once again leads their attack, and Senegal will also take belief from their 2022 World Cup run, when they reached the Round of 16.

The 2002 meeting remains one of the most significant results in World Cup history, when Papa Bouba Diop’s goal condemned a star-studded French side — then defending champions — to a shock defeat that contributed to their group-stage exit. Since then, France have also experienced occasional difficulties against African opposition in World Cup group-stage matches.

France, ranked third in the world, enter as clear favourites with one of international football’s deepest squads. It is their 17th World Cup appearance and they have qualified for eight consecutive tournaments — their longest-ever streak. Senegal, ranked 16th, are making their fourth World Cup appearance.