When Adidas and France overestimated 2002 World Cup hopes

Before the tournament, Adidas and the defending champions France projected confidence, even marketing a second‑star jersey, while the World Cup’s unpredictable nature promised drama; the reality unfolded dramatically when France suffered a shocking 0‑1 defeat to Senegal in the opening match, turning optimism into disillusionment.

Every four years, the hierarchy of world football is shaken up, producing fallen favorites and inspired underdogs. The 2002 edition was no exception, delivering moments of genius and flashes of temper.

This series looks back at the storylines that defied every prediction. It highlights France’s pre‑tournament confidence as part of that retrospective.

Before the 2002 World Cup, Adidas and Les Bleus believed the quest for a second star would be easy, buoyed by dominant displays in friendly matches. They even released an ad featuring Les Bleus discussing the second star before the Asian tournament began.

Some jerseys were already prepared for marketing, reflecting the high expectations surrounding the French side. The promotional campaign suggested a seamless path to another title.

However, the opening match against Senegal ended in a 0‑1 loss, a memorable collapse that shattered the early optimism. The defeat marked a stark contrast to the pre‑tournament hype.

The article, translated into English by artificial intelligence, invites readers to revisit this contrast between anticipation and reality. The original French version remains available for reference.