Les Bleus were beaten by Argentina last time out in quite possibly the best World Cup final in history, but had won the trophy for a second time four years prior. 

Senegal hoping for 2002 repeat

Didier Deschamps will relinquish managerial duties after this edition of the tournament, handing the reins to Zinedine Zidane, who was missing from the French line-up back in 2002 when Senegal shocked the football world, beating the reigning world champions 1-0.

Though a repeat of that result almost a quarter of a century later isn't impossible, the French will want to ensure it remains improbable.

If they needed a reminder of how being complacent can undo all of the pre-match hard work, then they only need to look at the way in which WC debutants Cape Verde held another tournament favourite, Spain, to a goalless draw on Monday.

Deschamps could create his own slice of history if he's able to ensure that France go deep into the tournament, given that he's just five games away from equalling the record for most games managed at the World Cup (25).

France looking to make it to a third successive WC final

If his side were able to go all the way, and their brilliant qualifying campaign (W5, D1) suggests they might, France would become just the third team ever to make it to three successive World Cup finals.

Senegal were also unbeaten in qualifying, winning seven and drawing three of their 10 matches, to make it to their third consecutive WC tournament. They'll surely want to go further than the last 16, which is the best they've managed during that time.

Indeed, their best run at a World Cup was in that 2002 edition, when they got all the way to the quarter-finals. 

After being stripped of their AFCON title earlier this year because of their protests at a late penalty award to Morocco in the final, Senegal will also absolutely have the fire burning inside them and be out to prove a point.

No opening day losses for Les Bleus since last meeting vs Senegal

Since the win over France in the only previous meeting between the sides, the African nation haven't managed to keep a clean sheet in their subsequent 11 games at the WC finals, so any designs Pape Thiaw has on his team progressing will be dependent on their defensive excellence first and foremost.

Les Bleus haven't actually lost a World Cup opener since that match (W3, D2), though they have been defeated in three of their last four WC group games against African opposition.

Goals are almost guaranteed, too, given that five of Senegal's last seven WC games saw over 2.5 goals scored, the same amount as in France's last nine games in all competitions.

Two players who could be the difference makers and on the score sheet for either side are Ismaila Sarr and Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe, Olise and Dembele set to cause problems

Sarr is fresh from winning the Conference League with Crystal Palace, and has scored Senegal's first goal in seven of his last eight international scoring appearances, whilst Mbappe will want to put the memories of a poor domestic season behind him by scoring the goals that bring him nearer to Miroslav Klose's all-time tournament record of 16 (Mbappe currently has 12).

That's not to discount the expected excellence from the likes of Sadio Mane, Michael Olise and current Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembele.

Olise has been on fire in the Bundesliga and Champions League for Bayern Munich, where he plundered 22 goals and provided 27 assists in 2025/26.

Not to mention his wonderful hat-trick for the national team in their final game before the tournament, a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in a friendly at Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Dembele and his Paris Saint-Germain teammates enjoyed a second successive Champions League triumph, both coming after Mbappe's move to Real Madrid.

Whilst the former hasn't been quite as on song of late (just 10 Ligue 1 goals compared to 21 in 2024/25), his pace, trickery and ability to play with both feet are certain to cause the Senegalese problems during the 90+ minutes.

Mane's last hurrah?

At 34, this is likely to be Mane's swansong at the World Cup, so he'll want to bow out of the showpiece with one last hurrah.

Though his exploits in the Saudi Pro League can't be compared to those of players in the top European leagues, with respect, he still knows where the goal is.

In 2026, he and his Senegalese teammates have won five matches, drawn one (a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in their last game, a June 9 friendly at Toyota Field), and lost just one.

With both sides preferring to play a front-foot attacking style, this game could be open and exciting, and if one team are able to secure the three points, it will set them up nicely for their remaining Group I games.