Pape Thiaw smiles when asked about the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. “It was historic,” says the Senegal manager, who was in the squad when they beat France, the reigning world champions, 1-0 in South Korea. Twenty-two years later, the two sides meet again in their first group game at a World Cup. “It will be another story – or at least we hope that it will be a different story,” says Didier Deschamps.
History may not repeat itself when the teams meet in New Jersey on Tuesday, but comparisons between the two matches are inevitable. Deschamps was not involved in 2002, having retired the year before. Laurent Blanc, another key figure from France's 1998 triumph, had also ended his international career. Blanc was the defensive rock, much like Raphaël Varane in 2018 and 2022. Varane is one of four key players to have retired from international football since the defeat to Argentina in the last World Cup final. Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann have also moved on.
Kylian Mbappé has replaced Lloris, France's most-capped player, as captain. By Deschamps' own admission, he is “not at all the same character and personality.” The manager says the “the baton has been passed,” but the squad feels short of leaders. Mike Maignan, entering a World Cup as the No. 1 for the first time, could help fill the void, but more leadership is needed.
The Mbappé-Dembélé Conundrum
The question of leadership is not the only one facing Mbappé. His relationship on the pitch with Ousmane Dembélé is perhaps a bigger issue. Dembélé has never delivered his best football for the national team; his calamitous performance in the World Cup final four years ago, when he was hooked at half-time, remains fresh. Dembélé's recent Ballon d'Or win has sparked calls for him to play as a No. 9 – a position where he has thrived at PSG under Luis Enrique – but that spot is occupied by Mbappé at international level.
When asked about Mbappé's role as centre-forward, Deschamps' retort is simple: Luis Enrique, Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa have all made the same decision at club level over the last three years. Repositioning him now would be illogical. But Dembélé's struggles on the right and inability to create a partnership with the captain are fueling a national debate akin to England's 2006 dilemma of fitting Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard into the same team.
Deschamps satiated the masses in France's last warm-up game – a 3-1 win against Northern Ireland – by giving Dembélé a more central role, behind Mbappé and to the left of Michael Olise. While Olise scored a hat-trick, Dembélé's influence was limited. The mental and physical toll of the Champions League final against Arsenal may serve as a mitigating factor. Given the forgiving nature of the group stage in the new World Cup format, Deschamps might repeat the experiment.
Lessons from 2002
Roger Lemerre, the France manager in 2002, was blessed with an embarrassment of riches but failed to find the right attacking formula. In the season leading up to the tournament, Thierry Henry was the top scorer in the Premier League, David Trezeguet in Serie A, and Djibril Cissé in Ligue 1. Despite that, France failed to score a single goal, finished bottom of the group, and crashed out. It remains the worst defense of the World Cup and a reminder that individual talent is no guarantee of collective success.
Arrogance also contributed to the failure in 2002. “We thought, and were made to believe, that we were better than we really were,” recalls Lilian Thuram. “We were living in a cocoon and thought we had already progressed through the first round and were in the final.” The defender adds that France's performances were “absurd” and “tragic.”
Deschamps is quick to point out that he was not in the squad in 2002 and that many of his players were not born. But that does not mean there are no scars or lessons. “When a French sportsperson is comfortable, that is not when they are at their best,” he said recently, seemingly responding to Lucas Hernández's assertion that France have “the best attack in the world.” Rayan Cherki added that France want to “crush” their opponents. Deschamps is trying to rein it in: humility, not hubris, is what he wants.
A New Era Beckons
Deschamps, in his final tournament as France manager, is not looking to rein in the attacking potential. Having been criticized for his conservatism, he seems more willing to let his players off the leash, saying he wants them to be “less readable.” The presence of players like Olise and Cherki will help.
Adrien Rabiot says that Olise and Cherki, who have emerged since the last World Cup, have added “freshness” and “enthusiasm.” Lemerre made the mistake of not refreshing the squad in 2002, but Deschamps – partially out of obligation – has picked 10 players who have never played in a major tournament and 12 who have never played a minute at a World Cup.
There is a fine line between continuity and stagnation, as France proved in 2002. France have opted for renewal at this World Cup and will go further when Zinedine Zidane is confirmed as their new manager after the tournament. As France approaches a new era, the players are keen to end this one with what Rabiot calls “a beautiful homage” to their manager, the most decorated man in French football history.
