Senegal faces France in World Cup opener, chasing 2002 magic

Senegal's national football team will take the pitch against France in their opening Group I match of the World Cup, with the fixture scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The matchup carries historical weight—Senegal defeated France 1-0 in their opening game at the 2002 World Cup, a victory that launched the West African nation to their best-ever World Cup performance, reaching the quarter-finals.

Coach Pape Thiaw's squad, featuring prominent players including Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, enters the tournament seeking to recapture that lightning-in-a-bottle moment. Thiaw has sought to move past recent controversies surrounding Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations campaign, where the team won the continental title but amid disputed refereeing decisions.

In January's final against Morocco in Rabat, Senegal triumphed 1-0 in extra time, though the squad briefly protested and walked off the field following a late penalty decision. The coach stated publicly that these matters are resolved and his focus is entirely on the World Cup opener.

Senegal's World Cup preparations have been marked by modest performances leading into the tournament. The team has struggled to maintain clean sheets in their final warm-up matches, recording 11 competitive fixtures without a shutout.

While the squad's pre-tournament form appeared unconvincing to observers, team officials have resisted writing them off despite visible inconsistencies. The squad will face an additional challenge: a significant portion of Senegalese supporters were denied visas by United States authorities, preventing fans from traveling to follow their team.

Abdoulay Sow, secretary-general of the Senegalese Football Federation, acknowledged this as a regrettable development with potential impact on the team's performance, particularly for their first two group matches scheduled in the United States before they travel to face Norway on June 22. Sow noted that immigration restrictions imposed by the co-host nation fall within sovereign authority, unlike travel procedures in European countries.