This is a record of France's results at the FIFA World Cup. France was one of the four European teams that participated at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and have appeared in 17 FIFA World Cups, tied for the sixth most of any country. The national team is one of eight to have won the FIFA World Cup title and one of seven to have done so more than once.
The French team won its first World Cup title in 1998. France had defeated Brazil 3–0 in the final match at the Stade de France.Allez les Bleus! The story of France's 1998 World Cup triumph ("A win for all of France"), ESPN, 8 June 2018France's 'Rainbow Team' looks back at historic World Cup triumph, CNN, 6 July 2018 The tournament was hosted in France once before in 1938, where France was eliminated by defending champions Italy in the quarter-finals. In 2018, France won the World Cup for the second time, defeating Croatia 4–2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia.
In 2006 and 2022, France finished as runners-up, losing on penalties to Italy (5–3) and Argentina (4–2) after ties after 120 minutes. The team has also finished in third place on two occasions, in 1958 and 1986, and in fourth place twice, in 1982 and 2026.
FIFA World Cup record Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPosition*SquadCampaign 1930Group stage7th310243SquadQualified as invitees 1934Round of 169th100123Squad1100611934 1938Quarter-finals6th210144SquadQualified as hosts 1938 1950Did not qualify3021451950 1954Group stage11th210133Squad 44002041954 1958Third place3rd64022315Squad43101941958 1962Did not qualify53021041962 1966Group stage13th301225Squad6501921966 1970Did not qualify4202641970 19744112351974 1978Group stage12th310255Squad4211741978 1982Fourth place4th73221612Squad85032081982 1986Third place3rd7421126Squad85121541986 1990Did not qualify83321071990 19941061317101994 1998Champions1st7610152SquadQualified as hosts1998 2002Group stage28th301203SquadQualified as defending champions2002 2006Runners-up2nd743093Squad105501422006 2010Group stage29th301214Squad1274120102010 2014Quarter-finals7th5311103Squad106221882014 2018Champions1st7610146Squad107211862018 2022Runners-up2nd7511168Squad85301832022 2026Fourth place4th86022010Squad65101642026 2030To be determinedTo be determined2030 20342034Total 2 Titles17/238145142215695N/A12575272325095Total *Knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out are considered a draw. **Red border indicates tournament was held on home soil.
France's World Cup recordFirst Match France 4–1 (15 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay)Biggest Win 7–3 (8 June 1958; Norrköping, Sweden)Biggest Defeat 52 (24 June 1958; Solna, Sweden)Best ResultChampions in 1998 and 2018Worst ResultGroup stage in 1930, 1954, 1966, 1978, 2002 and 2010
By match YearRoundOpponentScoreFrance scorers 1930Group 14–1Laurent, Langiller, Maschinot (2)0–10–1 1934Round of 162–3 Nicolas, Verriest 1938Round of 163–1Veinante, Nicolas (2)Quarter-final1–3Heisserer 1954Group 10–13–2Vincent, Cardenas, Kopa 1958Group 27–3Fontaine (3), Piantoni, Wisnieski, Kopa, Vincent2–3Fontaine (2)2–1Kopa, FontaineQuarter-final4–0Wisnieski, Fontaine (2), PiantoniSemi-final2–5Fontaine, PiantoniMatch for third place6–3Fontaine (4), Kopa, Douis 1966Group 11–1Hausser1–2De Bourgoing0–2 1978Group 11–2Lacombe1–2Platini3–1Lopez, Berdoll, Rocheteau 1982Group 41–3Soler4–1Genghini, Platini, Six, Bossis1–1SixGroup D1–0Genghini4–1Giresse (2), Rocheteau (2)Semi-final3–3 Platini, Tresor, GiresseMatch for third place2–3Girard, Couriol 1986Group C1–0Papin1–1Fernández3–0Stopyra, Tigana, RocheteauRound of 162–0Platini, StopyraQuarter-final1–1 PlatiniSemi-final 0–2Match for third place4–2 Ferreri, Papin, Genghini, Amoros 1998Group C3–0Dugarry, Issa (o.g.), Henry4–0Henry (2), Trezeguet, Lizarazu2–1Djorkaeff, PetitRound of 161–0 BlancQuarter-final0–0 Semi-final2–1Thuram (2)Final3–0Zidane (2), Petit 2002Group A0–10–00–2 2006Group G0–01–1Henry2–0Vieira, HenryRound of 16 3–1Ribéry, Vieira, ZidaneQuarter-final1–0HenrySemi-final 1–0ZidaneFinal1–1 Zidane 2010Group A0–00–21–2Malouda 2014Group E3–0Benzema (2), Valladares (o.g.)5–2Giroud, Matuidi, Valbuena, Benzema, Sissoko0–0Round of 16 2–0Pogba, Yobo (o.g.)Quarter-final0–1 2018Group C2–1Griezmann, Behich (o.g.)1–0Mbappé0–0Round of 16 4–3Griezmann, Pavard, Mbappé (2)Quarter-final2–0Varane, GriezmannSemi-final1–0UmtitiFinal 4–2Mandžukić (o.g.), Griezmann, Pogba, Mbappé 2022Group D4–1Rabiot, Giroud (2), Mbappé2–1Mbappé (2)0–1Round of 16 3–1Giroud, Mbappé (2)Quarter-final 2–1Tchouaméni, GiroudSemi-final 2–0T. Hernandez, Kolo MuaniFinal 3–3 Mbappé (3) 2026Group I3–1Mbappé (2), Barcola3–0Mbappé (2), Dembélé4–1Dembélé (3), DouéRound of 32 3–0Mbappé (2), BarcolaRound of 16 1–0 MbappéQuarter-final 2–0 Mbappé, DembéléSemi-final 0–2 Match for third place 4–6 Mbappé (2), Barcola, Dembélé
By opponent FIFA World Cup matches (by opponent)OpponentPlayedWonDrawnLostGFGAGD512256-1421176+14112990421186+24211440412132+1411289-1330083+5220062+42101330220063+34103712-5220061+5220081+7330093+6211052+3210132+1210142+22101330210154+1200224-2110010+1100101-110101101010000110030+3110041+3220040+4110020+2110010+1110010+1110040+4110021+110101101010110110030+3110020+2100101-1110030+3110041+3
By confederation FIFA World Cup matches (by confederation)ConfederationOpponentsTotalWinsDrawsLossesGFGAGDAFC6510184+14CAF9603155+10CONCACAF6411126+6CONMEBOL188552821+7OFC/0000000UEFA42227138359+24
France at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
France vs South Africa (Group C)
GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 15Lilian ThuramCB 8 Marcel Desailly CB 5 Laurent BlancLB 3 Bixente LizarazuCM 7 Didier Deschamps (c) CM 17Emmanuel Petit RW 6 Youri Djorkaeff AM 10Zinedine Zidane LW 12Thierry HenryCF 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h Substitutions:FW 21Christophe Dugarry MF 14Alain Boghossian FW 20David Trezeguet Manager:Aimé Jacquet GK 1 Hans VonkDF 3 David Nyathi DF 4 Willem Jackson DF 5 Mark Fish DF 19Lucas Radebe (c)DF 21Pierre Issa MF 7 Quinton Fortune MF 10John Moshoeu FW 6 Phil Masinga FW 12Brendan Augustine FW 17Benni McCarthy Substitutions:MF 11Helman Mkhalele FW 9 Shaun Bartlett Manager: Philippe Troussier Assistant referees: Arnaldo Pinto (Brazil) Merere Gonzales (Trinidad and Tobago) Fourth official: Mario Sánchez Yanten (Chile)
France vs Saudi Arabia (Group C)
GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 3 Bixente Lizarazu CB 5 Laurent Blanc CB 8 Marcel DesaillyLB 15Lilian ThuramRM 7 Didier Deschamps (c)CM 10Zinedine Zidane LM 13Bernard Diomède MF 14Alain BoghossianCF 12Thierry Henry CF 21Christophe Dugarry Substitutions:FW 20David Trezeguet MF 6 Youri Djorkaeff MF 11Robert Pires Manager:Aimé Jacquet GK 1 Mohamed Al-DeayeaDF 2 Mohammed Al-Jahani DF 3 Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi DF 4 Abdullah ZubromawiDF 13Hussein SulaimaniMF 6 Fuad Anwar (c)MF 7 Ibrahim Al-ShahraniMF 16Khamis Al-OwairanMF 20Hamzah Saleh FW 9 Sami Al-Jaber FW 10Saeed Al-Owairan Substitutions:MF 12Ibrahim Al-Harbi MF 14Khalid Al-Muwallid DF 17Ahmed Dokhi Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira Assistant referees: Reynaldo Salinas (Honduras) Luis Torres Zuniga (Costa Rica) Fourth official: Alberto Tejada Noriega (Peru)
France vs Denmark (Group C)
GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 2 Vincent CandelaCB 8 Marcel Desailly (c)LB 18Franck Leboeuf RM 4 Patrick Vieira CM 6 Youri DjorkaeffCM 11Robert Pires LM 13Bernard Diomède AM 17Emmanuel Petit AM 19Christian KarembeuCF 20David Trezeguet Substitutions:MF 14Alain Boghossian FW 12Thierry Henry FW 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h Manager:Aimé Jacquet GK 1 Peter Schmeichel DF 2 Michael Schjønberg DF 3 Marc RieperDF 4 Jes Høgh DF 5 Jan HeintzeDF 6 Thomas HelvegDF 13Jacob Laursen MF 7 Allan Nielsen MF 10Michael Laudrup (c) MF 21Martin Jørgensen FW 11Brian Laudrup Substitutions:DF 12Søren Colding FW 19Ebbe Sand MF 15Stig Tøfting Manager: Bo Johansson Assistant referees: Marc Van den Broeck (Belgium) Emanuel Zammit (Malta) Fourth official: Vítor Melo Pereira (Portugal)
France vs Paraguay (round of 16)
GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 15Lilian Thuram CB 5 Laurent BlancCB 8 Marcel DesaillyLB 3 Bixente Lizarazu CM 7 Didier Deschamps (c) CM 17Emmanuel Petit RW 13Bernard Diomède LW 6 Youri DjorkaeffCF 20David TrezeguetCF 12Thierry Henry Substitutes:MF 11Robert Pires MF 14Alain Boghossian FW 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h Manager:Aimé Jacquet GK 1 José Luis Chilavert (c) RB 2 Francisco Arce CB 4 Carlos GamarraCB 5 Celso Ayala LB 11Pedro Sarabia CM 10Roberto AcuñaCM 16Julio César Enciso CM 13Carlos Humberto Paredes AM 21Jorge Luis Campos AM 15Miguel Ángel Benítez CF 9 José Cardozo Substitutes:MF 7 Julio César Yegros DF 20Denis Caniza MF 8 Aristides Rojas Manager: Paulo César Carpegiani Assistant referees: Nimal Wickeramatunge (Sri Lanka) Lencie Fred (Vanuatu) Fourth official: Esse Baharmast (United States)
Italy vs France (Quarter-final)
GK 12Gianluca PagliucaRB 2 Giuseppe Bergomi CB 4 Fabio CannavaroCB 5 Alessandro Costacurta LB 3 Paolo Maldini (c)CM 11Dino Baggio CM 14Luigi Di Biagio RW 17Francesco MorieroLW 7 Gianluca Pessotto SS 10Alessandro Del Piero CF 21Christian VieriSubstitutes:MF 9 Demetrio Albertini FW 18Roberto Baggio MF 15Angelo Di Livio Manager:Cesare Maldini GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 15Lilian ThuramCB 5 Laurent BlancCB 8 Marcel DesaillyLB 3 Bixente LizarazuDM 7 Didier Deschamps (c) RM 19Christian Karembeu LM 17Emmanuel PetitAM 10Zinedine ZidaneAM 6 Youri DjorkaeffCF 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h Substitutes:FW 12Thierry Henry FW 20David Trezeguet Manager:Aimé Jacquet Assistant referees: Mark Warren (England) Nicolae Grigorescu (Romania) Fourth official: Said Belqola (Morocco)
France vs Croatia (Semi-final)
GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 15Lilian Thuram CB 5 Laurent Blanc CB 8 Marcel DesaillyLB 3 Bixente Lizarazu DM 7 Didier Deschamps (c) RM 19Christian Karembeu LM 17Emmanuel PetitAM 10Zinedine Zidane AM 6 Youri Djorkaeff CF 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h Substitutes:FW 12Thierry Henry FW 20David Trezeguet DF 18Frank Leboeuf Manager:Aimé Jacquet GK 1 Dražen LadićSW 4 Igor Štimac CB 20Dario Šimić CB 6 Slaven BilićRWB 13Mario Stanić LWB 17Robert Jarni DM 14Zvonimir SoldoCM 7 Aljoša Asanović CM 10Zvonimir Boban (c) CF 19Goran VlaovićCF 9 Davor ŠukerSubstitutes:MF 11Silvio Marić MF 8 Robert Prosinečki Manager:Miroslav Blažević Assistant referees: Fernando Tresaco Gracia (Spain) Jorge Diaz Galvez (Chile) Fourth official: Epifanio Gonzalez Chavez (Paraguay)
Brazil vs France (Final)
The 1998 final was held on 12 July at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis. France defeated holders Brazil 3–0, with two goals from Zinedine Zidane and a stoppage time strike from Emmanuel Petit. The win gave France their first World Cup title, becoming the sixth national team after Uruguay, Italy, England, West Germany and Argentina to win the tournament on their home soil. They also inflicted the heaviest defeat on Brazil since 1930.
The pre-match build up was dominated by the omission of Brazilian striker Ronaldo from the starting lineup only to be reinstated 45 minutes before kick-off. He managed to create the first open chance for Brazil in the 22nd minute, dribbling past defender Thuram before sending a cross out on the left side that goalkeeper Fabien Barthez struggled to hold onto. France however took the lead in the 27th minute after Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos conceded a corner which Zidane scored with a header from the right. Three minutes before half-time, Zidane scored his second goal of the match, similarly another header from a corner, this time from the left side. The tournament hosts went down to ten men in the 68th minute as Marcel Desailly was sent off for a second bookable offence. Brazil reacted to this by making an attacking substitution and although they applied pressure France sealed the win with a third goal: substitute Patrick Vieira set up his club teammate Petit in a counterattack to shoot low past goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel.