Opening Match Goal Against France
Scores the only goal as World Cup debutants Senegal defeat defending champions France.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
2002 in Senegal
Explore 19 historical events and records for Senegal in 2002.
Historical records for Senegal in 2002
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 19 of 19 unique records.
19Unique records
1 of 1Page
19Named events on this page
18Named people on this page
9Places on this page
May
November
Premiership Ends
Boye leaves office after the Joola ferry disaster crisis
Prime Minister Takes Office
Idrissa Seck becomes Prime Minister under President Wade
Other events (month unknown)
Captains Senegal at World Cup Debut
Aliou Cissé captains Senegal during their first World Cup appearance, a landmark victory over reigning champions France. His midfield leadership helps establish the team's discipline against elite opposition.
Debut World Cup Defensive Campaign
Habib Beye is selected for Senegal's first World Cup squad. The defender gains major-tournament experience as the national side advances to the last eight.
Defensive Work in France Upset
Lamine Diatta takes part in the Senegal defence that frustrates France in the opening match of the World Cup. Senegal's clean sheet is central to its 1-0 win.
French League Breakthrough at Troyes
Mamadou Niang develops his senior career in French football before establishing himself as a Senegal international. His progress eventually leads to a prolific spell with Marseille.
Fullback in World Cup Breakthrough
Omar Daf represents Senegal at the 2002 World Cup, where the team reaches the quarter-finals. His selection follows established service in the national side's defensive unit.
Golden Goal Eliminates Sweden
Henri Camara scores twice against Sweden in the World Cup round of sixteen. His extra-time golden goal sends Senegal into a historic quarter-final against Turkey.
Midfield Selection at Debut Finals
Pape Sarr is part of Senegal's squad at the 2002 World Cup. The team exceeds expectations by advancing beyond France, Denmark and Uruguay in its opening group.
Right Flank During Senegal World Cup Run
Ferdinand Coly supplies defensive coverage along Senegal's right side at the 2002 World Cup. The tournament becomes the nation's first appearance on football's biggest stage.
Scoring Against Denmark in Korea
Salif Diao scores Senegal's equaliser against Denmark in the World Cup group stage. The midfielder helps preserve an unbeaten start to his nation's first finals appearance.
Senegal Creative Engine in Japan
Khalilou Fadiga provides inventive passing and set-piece delivery in Senegal's World Cup debut. His midfield creativity supports the side's progression beyond the group phase.
Senegal First World Cup Goalkeeper
Tony Sylva guards Senegal's goal in their 1-0 opening-match upset of France. The goalkeeper helps his side keep the defending champions scoreless.
Senegal International Signs for Liverpool
El Hadji Diouf arrived from Lens after Senegal's impressive World Cup campaign and joined Liverpool's attacking options for the 2002–03 season.
Senegal World Cup Squad Experience
Moussa N'Diaye earns selection for Senegal's debut World Cup tournament. The national team's historic campaign continues into a quarter-final meeting with Turkey.
Teenage World Cup Selection
Souleymane Camara travels to the 2002 World Cup as a young Senegalese forward. The quarter-final run gives him exposure to the international game's highest level.
Veteran Attacker in 2002 Squad
Amara Traoré joins Senegal's squad for the nation's first World Cup finals. His presence supplies experience to a group that surprises established football powers.
World Cup Quarterfinal Attacking Presence
El Hadji Diouf leads Senegal's forward line during their memorable debut World Cup campaign. His dribbling and movement help a first-time entrant reach the quarter-finals.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.