Jules Rimet inspired the FIFA World Cup, and the French have had some great World Cup teams (winning twice). They are usually among the best European sides in the tournament. They’ve featured stars such as Platini, Zidane, Mbappé, and Henry.
The 1998 World Cup was in France, and it was here that the French team lifted the trophy for the first time. At the Stade De France, they took on the reigning world champions, Brazil, in the World Cup final. It was France’s first World Cup final, and the French team outclassed the Brazilians, who weren’t at their best in the final.
Zidane was the man of the match and scored twice from corner kicks in the first half to put France two goals up. Brazil could not get back into the game in the second half, and France sealed their victory with a third goal in the final minutes. A jubilant Stade De France roared as France lifted the trophy, and it was party time in Paris!
Before reaching the FIFA World Cup final, France had to defeat Croatia in the semi-finals. They had never won a World Cup semi-final before, nor had Croatia. Croatia had a very good side, spearheaded by Davor Suker, which had trounced the Germans 3-0 in the quarter-finals. This semi-final was a closer game than the final.
It was Suker who fired Croatia in front late in the first half. The French were trailing at the interval, but Marcus Thuram scored soon after the break to level the scores. That was Thuram’s first international goal for the France national team, and he doubled his total with a goal in the final 20 minutes that made the score France 2, Croatia 1. Croatia could not find an equalizer before the final whistle was blown, so France won their first World Cup semi-final.
France did not get off to a flying start in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They had drawn their first two games, but still made it through to the second round. A victory against Spain set up a quarter-final clash with then-world champions Brazil. Many expected Brazil to emerge triumphant in this game, but a Zidane-inspired France could not be defeated in this quarter-final encounter.
Whilst the game was not exactly a World Cup classic, it was a great victory for France. During the second half, Zidane swept in a free-kick to Henry, who struck a sweet volley to put France in front. France retained the lead up to the final whistle, securing a great victory. It was probably their best game in that World Cup.
In 1958, France was defeated in the semi-finals. They were out of the World Cup, with a third-place play-off game against the Germans. That was a fantastic game which included nine goals. During the match, Just Fontaine put France a goal up, before Germany equalized minutes later. From then on, the flood gates opened for France with a further three goals putting them 4-1 up just after half-time.
Whilst the Germans pulled a couple of goals back, France also scored two more to wrap up a 6-3 victory. Fontaine was in fantastic form, scoring a total of four goals in this match. This ensured a new World Cup scoring record, which remains today. As France won the game, they finished third in this World Cup, which was their best finish at that time.
The French lifted the World Cup trophy for the second time after winning one of the most exciting finals of recent times. In the first half, Mario Mandzukic put the French ahead, but Croatia equalized with a Persic strike. Then, Grezman restored France’s lead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.
The French went wild in the second half when Paul Pogba and Mbappé put Les Bleus 3-1 up in the second half. There was no way back for Croatia after Mbappé’s fantastic strike from outside the box made it 4-1. However, Mario Mandzukic scored a consolation for Croatia to make the final score France 4 Croatia 2.
These were among France’s greatest victories in the FIFA World Cup. France swept aside Brazil, Germany, and Croatia (twice) with some fine performances. Few French fans will doubt that the Brazil vs. France game was France’s best game played in the FIFA World Cup. Yet, the 2018 final was another strong performance from the French.
Argentina dethroned the French in the Qatar World Cup final. Yet, with players of Mbappé’s caliber, France will likely remain a threat in the next few World Cups. The bookmakers currently make France the third-favorite to win the 2026 World Cup, after Spain and Argentina.
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