Edouard Mendy urges Senegal to prove potential in France World Cup opener

This will be the second time the Lions of Teranga will be coming up against Les Bleus in the group stage of the World Cup. In their debut campaign in 2002, the West Africans stunned the then-defending champions 1-0 in the opener.

Senegal went ahead to advance to the knockout stage unbeaten and reached the quarter-finals, becoming the second African nation to ever achieve this feat.

This time around, Senegal have been drawn again with France in Group I alongside Norway, and Iraq. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups (2002, 2018, 2022, and 2026).

Across 12 matches, their overall record is five wins, three draws, and four defeats, with 16 goals scored and 17 conceded. Ahead of their opener, Mendy, who captains Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, is calling for the West African nation to fulfill their potential.

Senegal with chance to prevail

“All of our opponents have quality, especially France, who have outstanding players in every position,” Mendy told FIFA.com.

“That’s why we play football – for the chance to take on the best and test ourselves against the top players on the planet. And now, in our first match at the World Cup, we have the opportunity to do just that.

“It’s up to us to fulfil our potential and to show what we’re capable of.”

On being one of the role models in the squad, the former Chelsea custodian said: “It’s something that’s very important to me. I try to give a lot back because so much has been given to me.

“I’m really committed to passing on my experience to help the next generation in Senegal and inspire them to accomplish great things.”

‘The match was truly historic’

Revisiting their last win against France, Mendy said the outcome was a historic moment for the country because it was their first-ever World Cup victory.

“That match was a truly historic moment for our country, because it was our first ever World Cup victory – and it was over the reigning champions! I remember everything about the game,” remembered Mendy.

“The excitement in the streets, the pressure we were under every time France launched an attack and the buzz every time Senegal went forward… I have so many memories of that match.

“Now we have our own match to play, in a new era and a different setting.”

Senegal’s best performance was a run to the quarter-finals in 2002. They advanced past the group stage for the second time in their history, but they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by England.

Unbeaten in qualifying, Pape Thiaw’s men progressed by securing first place in Group B of the African preliminaries, beating Mauritania 4-0 in their final fixture on 14 October to earn top spot ahead of DR Congo.

The two-point gap between the sides was the result of a 3-2 Senegal triumph in Congo the previous month.

The tournament will be the first World Cup to be hosted by three nations, and the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from 32 previously.