Senegal’s head coach: We can beat any team, even France!

Pape Thiaw has said Senegal can beat any side at the World Cup as they prepare to face France in their Group I opener on Monday night.

The 45-year-old coach admitted the team will miss the backing of supporters from Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with visa restrictions making travel difficult for many fans. But he expects Senegalese communities across North America to fill the gap.

Thiaw said Senegal will still have strong support from large expatriate communities in cities including New York, Chicago and Montreal. He pointed to the Senegalese population in New York, which is estimated at about 20,000, many of them based in Little Senegal in Harlem.

Speaking to reporters, Thiaw stressed the importance of a strong start to the tournament and described the opening match as a key test of Senegal's ambitions. He said confidence and team spirit would matter, while adding: “We have our own weapons and if we do things right, we can beat any team.”

Senegal will be looking to recreate the mood of the 2002 World Cup opener, when they caused a major upset against France.