France at the World Cup: Full History from 1930 to 2022
Two-time world champions, three-time finalists, and the home of one of the World Cup's most distinctive footballing identities.
Key takeaways
- Two World Cup titles: 1998 (hosts, manager Aime Jacquet) and 2018 (manager Didier Deschamps).
- Four World Cup finals reached: 1998, 2006, 2018, 2022. The 2006 and 2022 finals were lost on penalties.
- Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at the 1958 tournament alone, the all-time record for goals at a single World Cup.
- Kylian Mbappe is France's all-time World Cup top scorer with 12 goals across 2018 and 2022.
- Zinedine Zidane's two headers in the 1998 final beat Brazil 3-0 at Stade de France; his 2006 headbutt on Materazzi ended his career.
- Mbappe's hat-trick in the 2022 final was the first by a player in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in 1966.
France have won the FIFA World Cup twice, in 1998 as hosts under Aime Jacquet and in 2018 in Russia under Didier Deschamps. They reached the final on two further occasions: 2006 in Germany (lost to Italy on penalties) and 2022 in Qatar (lost to Argentina on penalties). The four finals reached since 1998 place France among the most successful nations of the modern World Cup era, alongside Germany, Brazil and Argentina.
This guide covers France's complete World Cup history from the 1930 inaugural tournament through to the 2022 final loss in Qatar. Each era is summarised with the squads, the managers, the results, and the moments that defined the tournament for Les Bleus.
Headline numbers
- World Cup titles: 2 (1998, 2018)
- World Cup finals reached: 4 (1998, 2006, 2018, 2022)
- World Cup semi-finals reached: 7 (additionally 1958, 1982, 1986, 2014)
- All-time World Cup top scorer (France): Kylian Mbappe (12 goals across 2018, 2022; the all-time French record)
- Iconic individual moments: Zinedine Zidane's two headers in the 1998 final; Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 final; Mbappe's hat-trick in the 2022 final
Pre-war and early post-war: 1930-1958
France were one of the four European nations at the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay (alongside Belgium, Yugoslavia, and Romania). They reached the second round before being eliminated. The 1934 World Cup in Italy and the 1938 World Cup in France itself produced quarter-final exits.
The 1958 World Cup in Sweden produced France's first major run. Just Fontaine, the squad's centre-forward, scored 13 goals across the tournament, the all-time record for goals at a single World Cup. France reached the semi-final before losing 5-2 to Brazil (Pele scoring a hat-trick), then beat West Germany 6-3 in the third-place match. Fontaine's 13-goal haul has not been threatened in the 67 years since.
Wilderness: 1962-1978
France did not qualify for the 1962, 1970 or 1974 World Cups. The 1966 World Cup in England produced a group-stage exit. The 1978 World Cup in Argentina ended in another group-stage exit, with France losing to Italy and Argentina before beating Hungary in their final group match.
The Platini era: 1982-1986
The 1982 World Cup in Spain produced France's first semi-final since 1958. Michel Platini led the squad through the second round, then France faced West Germany in one of the most famous semi-finals in World Cup history at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville on 8 July 1982. The match ended 3-3 after extra time, with West Germany winning the first World Cup penalty shootout 5-4. The match is best remembered for Harald Schumacher's flying assault on Patrick Battiston, which left the French defender with serious injuries and was not penalised by the referee.
The 1986 World Cup in Mexico produced another semi-final loss, this time to West Germany again (2-0). France beat Belgium 4-2 in the third-place match. Michel Platini, the European Footballer of the Year three times running between 1983 and 1985, was at his peak in this era but never won a major international trophy with France.
Drought and rebuild: 1990-1994
France did not qualify for either the 1990 World Cup in Italy or the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Both failures were considered French football's nadir, with the 1994 qualifying campaign featuring two devastating late losses to Israel and Bulgaria that produced a national reckoning. The disappointment of those qualifying campaigns laid the foundation for the 1998 squad.
The 1998 victory
The 1998 World Cup in France was the first major tournament hosted on French soil since the 1984 European Championship. The squad, managed by Aime Jacquet and led by Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps and Lilian Thuram, won the tournament with one of the most dominant home runs in modern World Cup history. France won every match they played: South Africa (3-0), Saudi Arabia (4-0), Denmark (2-1), Paraguay (1-0 in the round of 16, with Laurent Blanc's golden goal), Italy (penalties after 0-0), Croatia (2-1, with Lilian Thuram scoring twice), and Brazil 3-0 in the final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 12 July 1998. Zinedine Zidane scored two headers in the final, one of the most iconic individual final performances in World Cup history. The match is also remembered for Ronaldo's mysterious pre-match collapse and reduced effectiveness throughout the final.
Title defence and Zidane's headbutt: 2002-2006
The 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea was a disaster for France. Defending champions, the squad failed to score in their three group matches: lost 1-0 to Senegal in the opening match, drew 0-0 with Uruguay, lost 2-0 to Denmark. The first-round exit at age 32 onwards saw Zidane unable to play due to injury for most of the tournament. The 2002 squad's failure remains one of the most disappointing title defences in World Cup history.
The 2006 World Cup in Germany produced France's second final. The squad reached the final via wins over Spain (3-1 in the round of 16), Brazil (1-0 in the quarter-final, with Henry scoring after a Zidane free kick), and Portugal (1-0 in the semi-final, Zidane penalty). The final at Olympiastadion Berlin on 9 July 2006 ended 1-1 after extra time. Italy won the penalty shootout 5-3. The match is best remembered for Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi in extra time, the iconic final act of his career. Zidane was sent off and France played the closing minutes a man down.
Drought again: 2010-2014
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was another disaster. France's squad imploded after Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the camp following a row with manager Raymond Domenech, with the players collectively refusing to train in protest. France lost their final group match to host nation South Africa 2-1 and were eliminated. The 2010 squad's collapse triggered a major restructuring of French football administration.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil produced a quarter-final exit to eventual champions Germany (1-0). The campaign was managed by Didier Deschamps in his first major tournament as France manager.
The 2018 victory and Deschamps era
The 2018 World Cup in Russia produced France's second title. The squad, led by Antoine Griezmann (then 27), Kylian Mbappe (19), Paul Pogba, and N'Golo Kante, won the tournament under Didier Deschamps' tactical direction. France beat Australia (2-1), Peru (1-0), and drew with Denmark (0-0) in the group stage. Knockout matches: Argentina (4-3 in the round of 16, with Mbappe scoring twice), Uruguay (2-0 in the quarter-final), Belgium (1-0 in the semi-final via Umtiti header), and Croatia 4-2 in the final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 15 July 2018. The final featured a Mario Mandzukic own goal, a Griezmann penalty, a Pogba goal, and a Mbappe goal, Mbappe becoming the youngest scorer in a World Cup final since Pele in 1958.
The 2022 final loss
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar produced France's fourth final but their second loss. The squad reached the final via wins over Australia (4-1), Denmark (2-1), Poland (3-1, with Mbappe scoring twice), England (2-1, in the quarter-final, with Tchouameni's deflected goal), and Morocco (2-0, in the semi-final).
The final at the Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022 is widely regarded as the greatest final in World Cup history. France trailed 2-0 with 10 minutes left, then Mbappe scored twice in the final 90 seconds (a penalty and a brilliant volley) to send the match to extra time at 2-2. Argentina retook the lead 3-2 through Messi, Mbappe equalised again at 3-3 with another penalty, and Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. Mbappe finished the tournament with 8 goals and the Golden Boot, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in 1966.
All-time top scorers and key players
- Kylian Mbappe: 12 World Cup goals across 2018 and 2022, France's all-time record. Hat-trick in the 2022 final.
- Just Fontaine: 13 goals at the 1958 tournament alone, the all-time record for goals at a single World Cup. Did not play at any subsequent tournament.
- Thierry Henry: 6 World Cup goals across 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010.
- Michel Platini: 5 World Cup goals across 1978, 1982, 1986. Three-time European Footballer of the Year but never lifted a major international trophy with France.
- Zinedine Zidane: 5 World Cup goals across 1998-2006, including two headers in the 1998 final.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cups have France won?
France have won the World Cup twice: 1998 (hosts, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final at Stade de France) and 2018 (beating Croatia 4-2 in Moscow). They have reached the final on four occasions overall (additionally 2006 and 2022, both lost on penalties).
Who is France's all-time top scorer at the World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe, with 12 goals across the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. His hat-trick in the 2022 final brought his career total to 12 in just two tournaments. Just Fontaine's 13 goals at the 1958 tournament alone is the all-time record for goals at a single World Cup.
Did France win the 1998 World Cup?
Yes. France hosted and won the 1998 World Cup, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 12 July 1998. Zinedine Zidane scored two headers in the final.
What happened to Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final?
Zinedine Zidane was sent off in extra time of the 2006 World Cup final against Italy at Olympiastadion Berlin on 9 July 2006 for headbutting Marco Materazzi. Italy won the match on penalties (5-3 after 1-1 in extra time). It was Zidane's final professional match.
What happened in the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France?
Argentina led 2-0 in the second half. Mbappe scored twice in the final 90 seconds (a penalty and a brilliant volley) to force extra time at 2-2. Argentina retook the lead 3-2 through Messi. Mbappe equalised at 3-3 with another penalty. Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. Mbappe became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in 1966.
Who was Just Fontaine?
Just Fontaine was the France centre-forward at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. He scored 13 goals across France's six tournament matches, an all-time record for goals at a single World Cup that has stood for 67 years. France finished third at the tournament.
Why did France fail to qualify for the 1990 and 1994 World Cups?
France's qualifying campaigns for both tournaments collapsed in disappointing fashion. The 1994 campaign in particular featured two devastating late losses to Israel and Bulgaria that produced a national footballing reckoning. The failures laid the foundation for the 1998 home World Cup victory.
What was the 2010 World Cup mutiny?
The 2010 France squad imploded at the World Cup in South Africa after Nicolas Anelka was expelled from the camp following a row with manager Raymond Domenech. The remaining players collectively refused to train in protest. France lost their final group match to host nation South Africa 2-1 and were eliminated. The collapse triggered a major restructuring of French football administration.
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