SEOUL, South Korea — Patrick Vieira, the French midfielder many see as a future leader of “Les Bleus,” is opening the World Cup against his native Senegal.

        Vieira lived in the African country until he was 7.

        “France vs. Senegal for the opening match of the World Cup, it's extraordinary,” Vieira said before the first of 64 games in the world soccer championship. “My grandparents were born there, my parents were born there, my culture is still Senegalese.”

        On a French squad with as many diverse ethnic origins as any team in the 32-nation field, it's not so rare to come up against the country of one's ancestors.

        For some, this can be a painful experience. Zinedine Zidane, the son of Algerian immigrants, spoke of a “small ache” in his heart before meeting Algeria in an October friendly, which France won 4-1.

        But if Vieira was feeling conflicted about Friday's game, he wasn't letting it show.

        “We will try to smother them, and score early on to take control of the match,” Vieira said. “They all play in the French first division, and it won't be a typically African team. Tactically they won't be bad. Physically and technically the team will be above the African average. It will be a big battle.”

        France entered that battle without its star. Zidane has a torn thigh muscle, although he says he will return for the rest of the opening round.

        Like Zidane and Vieira, France captain Marcel Desailly is from Africa. He was born in Accra, Ghana, and said he was pleased to see strong African teams in the World Cup.

        But like Vieira, wasn't thinking about it too much.

        “You have to learn to put your feelings to one side to reach your best level,” Desailly said.

        The Senegalese players didn't gain any comfort from the absence of Zidane or from France's recent struggles in exhibition games.

        “There is no difference in France with Zidane or without Zidane. France is still a very good team,” defender Aliou Cisse said. “We are sorry for Zidane's injury and we hope for his quick recovery.”

        Senegal reached the final of this year's African Cup of Nations, and many regard it as the rising soccer power on the continent.

        “Senegal is a competitive team. African football players have very good physical strength and nice technique,” Senegal's French coach, Bruno Metsu, said. “However, they need a bit of discipline.”

        Unlike many games in South Korea, the opener is a sellout. Expected to attend are South Korea President Kim Dae-jung; Japanese Prince Takamado and his wife; Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi; Danish Prince Joachim; East Timor's first president, Xanana Gusmao; and royal family members from Saudi Arabia and Brunei.

        Security will be unprecedented, organizers say. The government will mobilize 38,000 police officers during the event, and have anti-aircraft missiles, portable land-to-air rockets and fighter jets protecting the skies above the stadium.

        The United States, seeking to vastly improve on its showing in the 1998 Cup, when it finished dead last among 32 teams, opens Wednesday against Portugal in Suwon, South Korea.

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