Senegal Team News - Mane STARTSSenegal's side isn't too shabby either, is it?A front three of Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson, and Ismaila Sarr is pretty damn strong.Now, I know Mane might not be the player he used to be, but he will still be a handful for the French defence.A strong side.'France have the best squad in the tournament by far'William Gallas, former France defender, speaking to SveaCasino:With the team France have, I think we have the best squad in the tournament by far when compared to any other national team. But we know that sometimes that's not enough.Now, we have a good opportunity to go very far, and why not win that trophy? I want to see that. But I also want to see how England are going to do because they always disappear at the last moment. This could be their year.The Ferocious French FourThat French attack is frankly ridiculous, isn't it?I keep staring at the France starting line-up graphic, wondering how they are allowed to field such a talented front four. It's outrageously good.Ousmane Dembele is the current Ballon d'Or holder and, like Desire Doue, is fresh from winning his second straight Champions League. Then you have Michael Olise, who has become arguably the best right winger in the world at Bayern Munich.And of course, we can't forget Kylian Mbappe. Whatever you think of him, he is still a sensational footballer who can rip a team in the world apart on his day.Now I've seen that team, I think they are going to go all the way.I fear for Senegal, it could end up being a really long afternoon at the office for them.France Team News - Fierce four all STARTWow.That France attack is insane, absolutely insane. Desire Doué, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise all in one team. That should be illegal.The rest of the side isn't exactly bad either. Arsenal star William saliba starts at the heart of defence, with Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park.You can see why they are the favourites.Teams are in townNow, let's fast-forward back to the modern day.A very happy-looking Didier Deschamps has led his French side into the MetLife Stadium ahead of the clash with Senegal.Sadio Mane and Co have also arrived in New Jersey, and now it's getting very real.Team news will be in very soon.Memories of 2002Thanks, Didier, that was a sensational setup. That was Scottie Pippen-esque to Michael Jordan in the prime Chicago Bulls era.Actually calling myself Jordan in this scenario when Deschamps is a World Champion as both a player and manager seems a little far-fetched.Anyway, I'm blabbing. It's time to talk about that fateful day in 2002 a little more, the day we witnessed one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, if not the biggest.Senegal were World Cup debutants playing against the defending champions, who four years earlier had romped to the trophy on home soil. It was seen as a foregone conclusion before a ball was kicked.The French were a team stacked with talent, much like they are now, with Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Sylvain Wiltord - a former Arsenal trio - some of the biggest names in the side.But they were stunned when Papa Bouba Diop scrambled home a winner to secure the unlikeliest of wins for Senegal. It will forever be a match that lives long in the memories of both nations for different reasons.Will we get a repeat today?Deschamps: 'We are not looking for revenge'Didier Deschamps, France manager, speaking on Monday:I know people like to use the world 'revenge' but there is no revenge in football. That was 24 years ago, and we have another page to write now. What happened in 2002, congratulations to Senegal, it was good for them then, but we'll make sure the result will be positive for us this time. It was history, even [the squad's oldest player] N'Golo [Kante], I'm not sure he watched the game. Many of my players weren't born in 2002. I was watching, of course, but I wasn't there.On paper, you can see what Senegal did during the last AFCON, and they have a very high level of player, of team. Senegal are one of the best African countries, one of the best teams in the world, so we know what to expect in this game.They have everything, excellent players at top clubs, great attacking quality, an outstanding midfield. They were very effective at the last competition, have a very high athletic intensity, and have many players with high technical skills. They will know what to expect as well, and it will be a duel - a high-level duel - a proper confrontation for the first game.Are France the favourites?I asked this question about Spain yesterday, and well, their day didn't end up going too well.And as I am an England fan, I am now going to do the same to France...Joking, I'm an impartial reporter, I swear. But anyway, I still do think it is important to talk about the pressure on France coming into this tournament. It feels huge.They made the final four years ago, and won the tournament four years prior to that. Under Didier Deschamps, the French have been supreme in the World Cup.I think you would need to be a little bit silly if you don't think France will go far again this year. They have a squad absolutely brimming with talent, with the same core that has brought them so much success still there.After Spain's flop against Cape Verde yesterday, the bookies now have France as the outright favourites, and you can't blame them.However, Kylian Mbappe and Co need to make sure they don't fall ill to the same mistake Spain made yesterday. They have to take this Senegal side seriously and start their campaign off with a win.Seems easy on paper, but as England will tell you, it isn't...All set at the MetLifeWhat a beautiful day, and what a beautiful stadium.Now, I have been well aware of the big debate between UK and US stadiums on social media, and while of course I am going to side with the island I love, I have to say, the MetLife Stadium does rival some of our very best.It's a great ground, especially on a sunny day like today. There is a reason they have selected it to host the World Cup final in just over four weeks' time.And well, it plays host to a huge match today. I'm so excited.Big night aheadThe World Cup schedule for the night:France vs Senegal - Group I, 20:00 BST (15:00 ET)Iraq vs Norway- Group I, 23:00 BST (18:00 ET)Argentina vs Algeria - Group J, 02:00 BST (21:00 ET)Austria vs Jordan - Group J, 05:00 BST (00:00 ET)A rivalry reignited We've been here before...Cast your minds back to 2002, when favourites France were starting their World Cup campaign as defending champions against Senegal in South Korea. Everybody thought it would be an easy win for the French.We all know what ended up happening... and if you don't, then don't worry, I will get back to it later.24 years on, the rivals meet again. Senegal aren't quite the minnows they were back then, but nevertheless, a win over the nation many see as favourites to win this tournament would be huge.Didier Deschamps' team will be desperate to extinguish the ghosts of their past by starting their campaign in style at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Whatever happens, all I know is that we are in for a belter of an evening.Strap in and enjoy the ride.Key Updates