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France national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see France women's national football team.

France
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Bleus (The Blues)
AssociationFédération Française de Football (FFF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachDidier Deschamps
CaptainKylian Mbappé
Most capsHugo Lloris (145)
Top scorerOlivier Giroud (57)
Home stadiumStade de France
FIFA codeFRA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 2 Steady (18 July 2024)[1]
Highest1 (May 2001 – May 2002, August–September 2018)
Lowest26 (September 2010)
First international
 Belgium 3–3 France 
(Uccle, Belgium; 1 May 1904)
Biggest win
 France 14–0 Gibraltar 
(Nice, France; 18 November 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Denmark 17–1 France 
(London, England; 22 October 1908)
World Cup
Appearances16 (first in 1930)
Best resultChampions (1998, 2018)
European Championship
Appearances11 (first in 1960)
Best resultChampions (1984, 2000)
Nations League Finals
Appearances1 (first in 2021)
Best resultChampions (2021)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances1 (first in 1985)
Best resultChampions (1985)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2001)
Best resultChampions (2001, 2003)
Medal record
Men's football
FIFA World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1998 France Team
Gold medal – first place 2018 Russia Team
Silver medal – second place 2006 Germany Team
Silver medal – second place 2022 Qatar Team
Bronze medal – third place 1958 Sweden Team
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Mexico Team
UEFA European Championship
Gold medal – first place 1984 France Team
Gold medal – first place 2000 Belgium–Netherlands Team
Silver medal – second place 2016 France Team
UEFA Nations League
Gold medal – first place 2021 Italy Team
FIFA Confederations Cup
Gold medal – first place 2001 South Korea–Japan Team
Gold medal – first place 2003 France Team
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles Team
Silver medal – second place 1900 Paris Team
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Gold medal – first place 1985 Paris Team

The France national football team (French: Équipe de France de football) represents France in men's international football. It is controlled by the French Football Federation (FFF; Fédération française de football), the governing body for football in France. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions. The team's colours and imagery reference two national symbols: the French blue-white-red tricolour and Gallic rooster (coq gaulois). The team is colloquially known as Les Bleus (The Blues). They play home matches at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and train at Centre National du Football in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines.

Founded in 1904, the team has won two FIFA World Cups, two UEFA European Championships, one CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, two FIFA Confederations Cups and one UEFA Nations League title.[3] France was one of the four European teams that participated in the first World Cup in 1930. Twenty-eight years later, the team led by Raymond Kopa and Just Fontaine finished in third place at the 1958 World Cup. France experienced much of its success in three different eras: in the 1980s, the late 1990s to early 2000s, and the late 2010s to early 2020s. In 1984, under the leadership of the three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini, France won Euro 1984 (its first official title), a CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup (1985), and reached two World Cup semi-finals (1982 and 1986).

During the captaincy of Didier Deschamps, with Zinedine Zidane on the pitch, Les Bleus won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. They also won the Confederations Cup in 2001 and 2003. Three years later, France made it to the final of the 2006 World Cup, losing 5–3 on penalties to Italy. A decade later, the team reached the final of Euro 2016, where they lost 1–0 to Portugal in extra time. Two years after that, France won the 2018 World Cup, its second title in that competition. After winning the 2021 Nations League, they became the first, and so far, the only European national team to have won every senior FIFA and UEFA competition.[4][5] In 2022, France reached a second consecutive World Cup final, but lost 4–2 on penalties to Argentina. France is also one of only two countries, the other being Brazil, to have won all men's FIFA 11-player competitions at all age levels,[6][7][8][9][10] having claimed both the FIFA World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA U-17 World Cup, the now-defunct FIFA Confederations Cup, and Olympic title, as well as the first to complete the collection, after the U-20 national team captured the first U-20 World Cup title in 2013.[8]

France has footballing rivalries[11] with Belgium,[12] England,[13] Germany,[14] Italy,[15] Portugal, and Spain.[16] A bitter rivalry with Argentina also developed and intensified in the early 2020s.[17]

History

[edit]
Main article: History of the France national football team

Early years (1900–1930s)

[edit]
France national team that played its first international v Belgium in 1904.

The France national football team was created in 1904, around the time of FIFA's foundation.[18] The team competed in its first official international match on 1 May 1904 against Belgium in Brussels, ending in a 3–3 draw.[19] The following year, on 12 February 1905, France contested their first-ever home match against Switzerland. The match was played at the Parc des Princes in front of 500 supporters. France won the match 1–0 with the only goal coming from Gaston Cyprès. Due to disagreements between FIFA and the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA), the country's sports union, France struggled to establish an identity. On 9 May 1908, the French Interfederal Committee (CFI), a rival organization to the USFSA, ruled that FIFA would now be responsible for the club's appearances in forthcoming Olympic Games and not the USFSA. In 1919, the CFI transformed themselves into the French Football Federation (FFF). In 1921, the USFSA finally merged with the FFF.

In July 1930, France appeared in the inaugural FIFA World Cup, held in Uruguay. In their first-ever World Cup match, France defeated Mexico 4–1 at the Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo. Lucien Laurent scored the first goal in World Cup history. Conversely, France also became the first team to not score in a World Cup match after losing 1–0 to group stage opponents Argentina. Another loss to Chile resulted in the team bowing out in the group stage. The following year saw the first selection of a black player to the national team. Raoul Diagne, who was of Senegalese descent, earned his first cap on 15 February in a 2–1 defeat to Czechoslovakia. Diagne later played with the team at the 1938 World Cup, alongside Larbi Benbarek, who was one of the first players of North African origin to play for the national team. At the 1934 World Cup, France suffered elimination in the opening round, losing 3–2 to Austria. On the team's return to Paris, they were greeted as heroes by a crowd of over 4,000 supporters. France hosted the 1938 World Cup and reached the quarterfinals, losing 3–1 to defending champions (and eventual 1938 winners) Italy.

1950s–1980s

[edit]

France's first 'Golden Generation' in the late 1950s comprised players such as Just Fontaine, Raymond Kopa, Jean Vincent, Robert Jonquet, Maryan Wisnieski, Thadée Cisowski, and Armand Penverne. At the 1958 World Cup, France reached the semi-finals losing to Brazil. In the third-place match, France defeated West Germany 6–3 with Fontaine recording four goals, which brought his goal tally in the competition to 13, a World Cup record. The record still stands today. France hosted the inaugural UEFA European Football Championship in 1960. For the second straight international tournament, the team reached the semi-finals, but were defeated 5–4 by Yugoslavia despite being up 4–2 heading into the 75th minute. In the third-place match, France was defeated 2–0 by Czechoslovakia.

The 1960s and 1970s saw France decline significantly playing under several managers and failing to qualify for numerous international tournaments. On 25 April 1962, Henri Guérin was officially installed as the team's first manager. Under Guérin, France failed to qualify for the 1962 World Cup and the 1964 European Nations' Cup. The team returned to major international play with qualification for the 1966 World Cup, but did not make it past the group stage phase of the tournament. Guérin was fired following the World Cup. He was replaced by José Arribas and Jean Snella, who worked as caretaker managers in dual roles. The two only lasted four matches and were replaced by former international Just Fontaine, who in turn was only in charge for two matches. Louis Dugauguez succeeded Fontaine and following his early struggles in qualification for the 1970 World Cup, was fired and replaced by Georges Boulogne, who could not get the team to the competition. Boulogne was later fired following his failure to qualify for the 1974 World Cup and was replaced by the Romanian Ștefan Kovács, who became the only international manager to ever manage the national team. Under the management of Kovács, France failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1976. After two years in charge, he was sacked and replaced with Michel Hidalgo.

Michel Platini captained France to victory at UEFA Euro 1984.

Under Hidalgo, France flourished, mainly due to the accolades of great players like defenders Marius Trésor and Maxime Bossis, striker Dominique Rocheteau and midfielder Michel Platini, who, alongside Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Luis Fernández formed the "carré magique" ("Magic Square"), which would haunt opposing defenses beginning at the 1982 World Cup, where France reached the semi-finals losing on penalties to rivals West Germany. The semi-final match-up is considered one of the greatest matches in World Cup history and was marked by controversy.[20] France finished fourth overall, losing the third-place playoff 3–2 to Poland. France earned their first major international honor two years later, winning Euro 1984, which they hosted. Under the leadership of Platini, who scored a tournament-high nine goals, France defeated Spain 2–0 in the final. Platini and Bruno Bellone scored the goals. Following the Euro triumph, Hidalgo departed the team and was replaced by former international Henri Michel. France subsequently won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics football tournament and, a year later, defeated Uruguay 2–0 to win the Artemio Franchi Trophy, an early precursor to the FIFA Confederations Cup. Dominique Rocheteau and José Touré scored the goals. In a span of a year, France were holders of three of the four major international trophies. At the 1986 World Cup, France reached the semi-finals and faced West Germany. They were defeated again by the Germans but achieved third place with a 4–2 victory over Belgium.

In 1988, the FFF opened the Clairefontaine National Football Institute. Its opening ceremony was attended by then-President of France, François Mitterrand. Five months after Clairefontaine's opening, manager Henri Michel was fired and was replaced by Michel Platini, who failed to get the team to the 1990 World Cup.

Zidane era and World Champions (1996–2006)

[edit]

Under Gerard Houllier, France and its supporters experienced a major disappointment in failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. With two matches to play, qualification had been all but secured with matches remaining against last-placed Israel and in-contention Bulgaria. However, France was upset at home by Israel 3–2 after leading 2–1 late in the match and, against Bulgaria, conceded a 90th-minute goal for a 2–1 defeat.[21] The subsequent blame and public outcry led to the firing of Houllier and departure of several players, from the national team fold. Houllier's assistant Aimé Jacquet was appointed as manager.

France starting line-up against Brazil at the 1998 FIFA World Cup final, a match they won 3–0

Under Jacquet, the national team achieved multiple successes. The squad comprised some experienced players from the group that had failed to reach the 1994 World Cup as well as some talented younger players, such as Zinedine Zidane. The team reached the semi-finals of Euro 1996, where they lost 6–5 on penalties to the Czech Republic. The team's next major tournament was the 1998 World Cup, which France hosted. France went through the tournament undefeated and became the seventh nation to win the World Cup, defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final at the Stade de France in Paris. Jacquet stepped down after the country's World Cup triumph and was succeeded by assistant Roger Lemerre who guided them through Euro 2000. Led by FIFA World Player of the Year Zidane, France defeated Italy 2–1 in the final. David Trezeguet scored the golden goal in extra time. The victory gave the team the distinction of holding both the World Cup and Euro titles, a feat first achieved by West Germany in 1974; this was also the first time that a reigning World Cup winner went on to capture the Euro. Following the result, the France national team was accorded the number one spot in the FIFA World Rankings. In the following year, the team won the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Zinedine Zidane captaining France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

After this period of achievement, France were much less successful in subsequent tournaments, and failed to make it past the group stage at the 2002 World Cup. One of the greatest shocks in World Cup history saw France defeated 1–0 by debutantes Senegal in the opening game of the tournament. France became only the second nation to be eliminated in the first round as World Cup holders, the first being Brazil in 1966. After the 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups, Italy, Spain, and Germany were also added to this list.[22] After France finished bottom of the group, Lemerre was dismissed and was replaced by Jacques Santini. A full-strength team started out strongly at Euro 2004, but they were upset in the quarter-finals by the eventual winners Greece. Santini resigned as coach and Raymond Domenech was picked as his replacement. France struggled in the early qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup. This prompted Domenech to persuade several past members out of international retirement to help the national team qualify, which they accomplished following a convincing 4–0 win over Cyprus on the final day of qualifying. In the 2006 World Cup final stages, France finished undefeated in the group stage portion and advanced to the final, defeating Spain, Brazil, and Portugal in the knockout matches. France played Italy in the final. The match finished 1–1 after extra time. Zinedine Zidane had given France an early lead through a Panenka penalty which hit the crossbar before bouncing past the goal line, however Italy defender Marco Materazzi equalised from a header 7 minutes later. Italy ended up winning 5–3 on penalties to be crowned World Cup champions. The match featured a notable incident during extra time between Zidane and Materazzi in which Zidane headbutted Materazzi and was sent off. This was Zidane's last appearance in a football match as he announced previously that he would retire from football after the 2006 World Cup.

The French team in front of fans in 2006

Decline and Rebuild (2007–2015)

[edit]

France started its qualifying round for Euro 2008 strong and qualified for the tournament, despite two defeats to Scotland. After the performance in the qualifiers, France performed poorly at the final tournament, ending in last place of their group, behind Netherlands, Italy and Romania, obtaining just one point after a 0–0 draw with the Romanian side.[23][24] Just like the team's previous World Cup qualifying campaign, the 2010 campaign got off to a disappointing start with France suffering disastrous losses and earning uninspired victories. France eventually finished second in the group and earned a spot in the UEFA play-offs against the Republic of Ireland for a place in South Africa. In the first leg, France defeated the Irish 1–0 and in the second leg procured a 1–1 draw, via a controversial act by France forward Thierry Henry, to qualify for the World Cup.[25]

In the 2010 World Cup final stages, the team continued to perform under expectations and were eliminated in the group stage, while the negative publicity the national team received during the competition led to further repercussions back in France. Midway through the competition, striker Nicolas Anelka was dismissed from the national team after reportedly having a dispute, in which obscenities were passed, with team manager Raymond Domenech during half-time of the team's loss to Mexico.[26][27] The resulting disagreement over Anelka's expulsion between the players, the coaching staff and FFF officials resulted in the players boycotting training before their third game.[28][29][30] In response to the training boycott, Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot lectured the players and "reduced France's disgraced World Cup stars to tears with an emotional speech on the eve of their final group A match".[31] France then lost their final game 2–1 to hosts South Africa and failed to advance to the knockout stage.[32] The day after the team's elimination, it was reported by numerous media outlets that then President of France Nicolas Sarkozy would meet with team captain Thierry Henry to discuss the issues associated with the team's meltdown at the World Cup, at Henry's request.[33] Following the completion of the World Cup tournament, Federation President Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned from his position.[34]

Domenech, whose contract had expired, was succeeded as head coach by former international Laurent Blanc.[35] On 23 July 2010, at the request of Blanc, the FFF suspended all 23 players in the World Cup squad for the team's friendly match against Norway after the World Cup.[36] On 6 August, five players who were deemed to have played a major role in the training boycott were disciplined for their roles, and Nicolas Anelka also received an 18-match ban, effectively ending the forward's international career.[37][38]

At Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, France reached the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by eventual champions Spain.[39][40] Following the tournament, coach Laurent Blanc resigned and was succeeded by Didier Deschamps, who captained France to glory in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.[41][42] His team qualified for the 2014 World Cup by beating Ukraine in the play-offs.[43] At the 2014 World Cup, France lost to eventual champions Germany in the quarter-finals courtesy of an early goal by Mats Hummels.[44]

Renewed Success & Second World Cup (2016–2024)

[edit]

France automatically qualified as hosts for Euro 2016,[45] advancing to the knockout stages, where they defeated the Republic of Ireland and Iceland.[46] In the semi-final, France defeated Germany 2–0, marking their first win over Germany at a major tournament since 1958.[47][48] France, however, were beaten by Portugal 1–0 in the final courtesy of an extra-time goal by Eder.

France starting line-up against Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, a match they won 4–2

At the 2018 World Cup, France finished top of their group to advance to the last 16.[49] They subsequently defeated Argentina 4–3 in a thrilling match in the round of 16 and then Uruguay 2–0 to qualify for the semi-final stage, where they beat Belgium 1–0 courtesy of a goal from defender Samuel Umtiti.[49][50] On 15 July, France beat Croatia in the final 4–2 to win the World Cup for the second time.[51]

UEFA Euro 2020 was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[52] At Euro 2020, France finished top of a group containing Germany, Portugal and Hungary,[53] which was described by pundits as the "group of death".[54] However, they were eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.[53] The Swiss had held France to a 3–3 draw in normal time before winning on penalties.[53] France would go on to win the 2020–21 edition of the UEFA Nations League, after winning advancement to the final tournament from a group consisting of inaugural champions Portugal. France defeated Spain 2-1 in the final for their first title.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, France looked to defend their title in Qatar.[55] After finishing top of their group, France did manage to reach a second successive World Cup final, defeating Poland, England and Morocco in the knockout stages.[56] However, they were defeated on penalties by Argentina after a thrilling 3–3 draw.[57]

France qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, where they placed second in the group stage following a victory over Austria 1–0 and two draws against Netherlands (0–0) and Poland (1–1), therefore advancing to the knockout stage. They defeated Belgium 1–0 in the round of 16 and later advanced to the semifinals after defeating Portugal in penalties following a 0–0 score. At this point, France had yet to score a goal from open play, having scored previous goals from penalty kicks (Poland) or own goals (Belgium and Austria). France was later defeated by Spain 2–1 in the semifinals,[58] this becoming their first defeat in regular time in ten years.[59]

Home stadium

[edit]
Main articles: Stade de France, Parc des Princes, and INF Clairefontaine

During France's early years, the team's national stadium alternated between the Parc des Princes in Paris and the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir in Colombes. France also hosted matches at the Stade Pershing, Stade de Paris, and the Stade Buffalo, but to a minimal degree. As time passed, France began hosting matches outside the city of Paris at such venues as the Stade Marcel Saupin in Nantes, the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, and the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg.

Stade de France

Following the renovation of the Parc des Princes in 1972, which gave the stadium the largest capacity in Paris, France moved into the venue permanently. The team still hosted friendly matches and minor World Cup and UEFA Euro qualification matches at other venues. France have played home matches in a French overseas department twice – in 2005 against Costa Rica in Fort-de-France (Martinique) and in 2010 against China in Saint Pierre (Réunion). Both matches were friendlies.

In 1998, the Stade de France was inaugurated as France's national stadium ahead of the 1998 World Cup. Located in Saint-Denis, a Parisian suburb, the stadium has an all-seater capacity of 81,338. France's first match at the stadium was played on 28 January 1998 against Spain. France won the match 1–0, with Zinedine Zidane scoring the goal. Since that match, France has used the stadium for almost every major home game, including the 1998 World Cup final.

Prior to matches, home or away, the national team trains at the INF Clairefontaine academy in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines. Clairefontaine is the national association football centre and is among 12 élite academies throughout the country. The centre was inaugurated in 1976 by former FFF president Fernand Sastre and opened in 1988. The center drew media spotlight following its usage as a base camp by the team that won the 1998 World Cup.

In the 20th and 23rd minute of an international friendly on 13 November 2015, against Germany, three groups of terrorists attempted to detonate bomb vests, at three entrances of Stade de France, and two explosions occurred. Play would continue, until the 94th minute, in order to keep the crowd from panicking. Consequently, the stadium was evacuated through the unaffected gates of the stadium away from the players benches. Due to the blocked exits, spectators who could not leave the stadium had to go down to the pitch and wait until it was safer. As a result of the attacks, both teams would remain in the stadium until the day after.[60]

Team image

[edit]

Media coverage

[edit]

The national team has a broadcasting agreement with TF1 Group, who the Federal Council of the FFF agreed to extend its exclusive broadcasting agreement with the channel. The new deal grants the channel exclusive broadcast rights for the matches of national team, which include friendlies and international games for the next four seasons beginning in August 2010 and ending in June 2014. TF1 will also have extended rights, notably on the Internet, and may also broadcast images of the national team in its weekly program, Téléfoot.[61] The FFF will receive €45 million a season, a €10 million decrease from the €55 million they received from the previous agreement reached in 2006.[62]

After France won their second World Cup in 2018, M6 together with TF1 broadcast all international fixtures featuring France respectively until 2022.[63]

Kits and crest

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to France national football team kits.
USFSA team that represented France at the 1900 Summer Olympics, wearing a white shirt with the rings emblem. That shirt was also worn in the first international v Belgium in 1904.

The France national team utilizes a three colour system composed of blue, white, and red. The team's three colours originate from the national flag of France, known as the tricolore. Nevertheless, the first France shirt (as seen in their first official international match against Belgium in 1904) was white, with the two interlinked rings emblem of USFSA –the body that controlled sport in France by then–[64] on the left.[65]

France normally wear blue shirts, white shorts, and red socks at home, while, when on the road, the team utilizes an all-white combination or white shirts and socks with blue shorts. Between 1909 and 1914, France wore a white shirt with blue stripes, white shorts, and red socks. In a 1978 World Cup match against Hungary in Mar del Plata, both teams arrived at Estadio José María Minella with white kits, so France played in green-and-white striped shirts borrowed from Club Atlético Kimberley.[66]

France's Zinedine Zidane number 10 home shirt, as made by Adidas

Beginning in 1966, France had its shirts made by Le Coq Sportif until 1971. In 1972, France reached an agreement with German sports apparel manufacturer Adidas to be the team's kit provider. Over the next 38 years, the two would maintain a healthy relationship with France winning Euro 1984, the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 while wearing Adidas' famous tricolour three stripes. During the 2006 World Cup, France wore an all-white change strip in all four of its knockout matches, including the final.[67] On 22 February 2008, the FFF announced that they were ending their partnership with Adidas and signing with Nike, effective 1 January 2011. The deal was valued at €320 million over seven years (1 January 2011 – 9 July 2018), making France's blue shirt the most expensive sponsorship in the history of football.[68][69]

Nike-made France merchandise on display for UEFA Euro 2016

The first France kit worn in a major tournament produced by Nike was the Euro 2012 strip, which was all dark blue and used gold as an accent colour.[70] In February 2013, Nike revealed an all baby blue change strip.

In advance of France's hosting of Euro 2016, Nike unveiled a new, unconventional kit set: blue shirts and shorts with red socks at home, white shirts and shorts and with blue socks away. The away shirt as worn in pre-Euro friendlies and released to the public also featured one blue sleeve and one red sleeve in reference to the "tricolore". However, due to UEFA regulations, France was forced to wear a modified version with the sleeve colours almost desaturated in their Euro 2016 group stage game against Switzerland, which continued to be worn during 2018 World Cup qualifying.[71]

Kit sponsorship

[edit]
Kit supplier Period Notes
France Allen Sport 1938–1966[72][73]
France Le Coq Sportif 1966–1971
Germany Adidas 1972–2010
United States Nike 2011–present

Kit deals

[edit]
Kit supplier Period Contract
announcement 		Contract
duration 		Value Notes
United States Nike 2011–present
22 February 2008
 2011–2018 (7 years) Total €340.8 million
(€42.6 million per year)[74]
8 December 2016
 2018–2026 (8 years) Total €450 million
(€50 million per year)[75]

Nickname

[edit]

France is often referred to by the media and supporters as Les Bleus (The Blues), which is the nickname associated with all of France's international sporting teams due to the blue shirts each team incorporates. The team is also referred to as Les Tricolores or L'Equipe Tricolore (The Tri-color Team) due to the team's utilization of the country's national colors: blue, white, and red. During the 1980s, France earned the nickname the "Brazilians of Europe" mainly due to the accolades of the "carré magique" ("Magic Square"), who were anchored by Michel Platini. Led by coach Michel Hidalgo, France exhibited an inspiring, elegant, skillful and technically advanced offensive style of football, which was strikingly similar to their South American counterparts.[76] Despite being offence oriented, France's defence is considered one of the best in world for their aggression and technicality. Their defence played a vital role in winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup and had earned them the title of "Mur de fer" ("The Iron Wall").

Results and fixtures

[edit]
Main article: France national football team results
Further information: France national football team results (2020–present)
Further information: 2023–24 in French football and 2024–25 in French football

The following is a list of match results from the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

[edit]
7 September 2023 (2023-09-07) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying France  2–0  Republic of Ireland Paris, France
20:45
Report Stadium: Parc des Princes
Attendance: 43,995
Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland)
12 September 2023 (2023-09-12) Friendly Germany  2–1  France Dortmund, Germany
21:00
Report
Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
13 October 2023 (2023-10-13) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Netherlands  1–2  France Amsterdam, Netherlands
20:45
Report
Stadium: Johan Cruyff Arena
Attendance: 51,310
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
17 October 2023 (2023-10-17) Friendly France  4–1  Scotland Lille, France
21:00
Report
Stadium: Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
18 November 2023 (2023-11-18) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying France  14–0  Gibraltar Nice, France
20:45
Report Stadium: Allianz Riviera
Attendance: 32,758
Referee: John Brooks (England)
21 November 2023 (2023-11-21) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Greece  2–2  France Athens, Greece
21:45
Report
Stadium: Agia Sophia Stadium
Attendance: 24,820
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

2024

[edit]
23 March 2024 Friendly France  0–2  Germany Décines-Charpieu, France
21:05 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Parc Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
26 March 2024 Friendly France  3–2  Chile Marseille, France
21:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade Vélodrome
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
5 June 2024 Friendly France  3–0  Luxembourg Longeville-lès-Metz, France
21:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade Saint-Symphorien
Referee: Lawrence Visser (Belgium)
9 June 2024 Friendly France  0–0  Canada Bordeaux, France
21:15 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Malmut Atlantique
Attendance: 40,835
Referee: Fábio Veríssimo (Portugal)
17 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group D Austria  0–1  France Düsseldorf, Germany
21:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena
Attendance: 46,425
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
21 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group D Netherlands  0–0  France Leipzig, Germany
21:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 38,531
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
25 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group D France  1–1  Poland Dortmund, Germany
18:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Westfalenstadion
Attendance: 59,728
Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)
1 July 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 France  1–0  Belgium Düsseldorf, Germany
18:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena
Attendance: 46,810
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
5 July 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Quarter-finals Portugal  0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–5 p)		  France Hamburg, Germany
21:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Volksparkstadion
Attendance: 47,789
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Penalties
9 July 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-finals Spain  2–1  France Munich, Germany
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Allianz Arena
Attendance: 62,042
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) 2024–25 Nations League France  v  Italy Paris, France
20:45 Report Stadium: Parc des Princes
9 September 2024 (2024-09-09) 2024–25 Nations League France  v  Belgium Décines-Charpieu, France
20:45 Report Stadium: Parc Olympique Lyonnais
10 October 2024 (2024-10-10) 2024–25 Nations League Israel  v  France Budapest, Hungary[note 1]
20:45 Report Stadium: Bozsik Aréna
14 October 2024 (2024-10-14) 2024–25 Nations League Belgium  v  France Brussels, Belgium
20:45 Report Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
14 November 2024 (2024-11-14) 2024–25 Nations League France  v  Israel Saint-Denis, France
20:45 Report Stadium: Stade de France
17 November 2024 (2024-11-17) 2024–25 Nations League Italy  v  France Milan, Italy
20:45 Report Stadium: San Siro

Coaching staff

[edit]
Didier Deschamps, the current coach of the France national football team
As of March 2024.[78]
Position Name
Head coach France Didier Deschamps
Assistant coach France Guy Stéphan
Goalkeeper coach France Franck Raviot
Fitness coach France Cyril Moine
Doctor France Franck Le Gall
Video analysts France Thierry Marszalek
France Eric Dubray
Osteopath France Jean-Yves Vandewalle
Physiotherapists France Clément Hazard
France Denis Morcel
France Alexandre Germain
France Guillaume Vassout
Team Manager France Philippe Brocherieux
Kit Manager France Nicolas Piry
Chef France Xavier Rousseau
Security officer France Mohamed Sanhadji
Steward France Bachir Nehar
France Johan Perez
Media officer France Raphaël Raymond
Media reporter France Guillaume Bigot

Coaching history

[edit]
Main article: France national football team manager
As of 9 July 2024
Managers in italics were hired as caretakers.
Manager France career Pld W D L Win %
France Henri Guérin 1964–1966 15 5 4 6 033.3
Spain José Arribas
France Jean Snella 		1966 4 2 0 2 050.0
France Just Fontaine 1967 2 0 0 2 000.0
France Louis Dugauguez 1967–1968 9 2 3 4 022.2
France Georges Boulogne 1969–1973 31 15 5 11 048.4
Romania Ștefan Kovács 1973–1975 15 6 4 5 040.0
France Michel Hidalgo 1976–1984 75 41 16 18 054.7
France Henri Michel 1984–1988 36 16 12 8 044.4
France Michel Platini 1988–1992 29 16 8 5 055.2
France Gérard Houllier 1992–1993 12 7 1 4 058.3
France Aimé Jacquet 1993–1998 53 34 16 3 064.2
France Roger Lemerre 1998–2002 53 34 11 8 064.2
France Jacques Santini 2002–2004 28 22 4 2 078.6
France Raymond Domenech 2004–2010 79 41 24 14 051.9
France Laurent Blanc 2010–2012 27 16 7 4 059.3
France Didier Deschamps 2012–present 159 101 33 25 063.5

Players

[edit]
For all past and present players who have appeared for the national team, see List of France international footballers.
See also: List of France national football team captains

Current squad

[edit]

The following 25 players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2024.[79]

Caps and goals as of 9 July 2024, after the match against  Spain.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Brice Samba (1994-04-25) 25 April 1994 (age 30) 3 0 France Lens
16 1GK Mike Maignan (1995-07-03) 3 July 1995 (age 29) 22 0 Italy AC Milan
23 1GK Alphonse Areola (1993-02-27) 27 February 1993 (age 31) 5 0 England West Ham United
2 2DF Benjamin Pavard (1996-03-28) 28 March 1996 (age 28) 54 5 Italy Inter Milan
3 2DF Ferland Mendy (1995-06-08) 8 June 1995 (age 29) 10 0 Spain Real Madrid
4 2DF Dayot Upamecano (1998-10-27) 27 October 1998 (age 25) 26 2 Germany Bayern Munich
5 2DF Jules Koundé (1998-11-12) 12 November 1998 (age 25) 34 0 Spain Barcelona
17 2DF William Saliba (2001-03-24) 24 March 2001 (age 23) 21 0 England Arsenal
21 2DF Jonathan Clauss (1992-09-25) 25 September 1992 (age 31) 13 2 France Nice
22 2DF Théo Hernandez (1997-10-06) 6 October 1997 (age 26) 33 2 Italy AC Milan
24 2DF Ibrahima Konaté (1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 (age 25) 16 0 England Liverpool
6 3MF Eduardo Camavinga (2002-11-10) 10 November 2002 (age 21) 21 1 Spain Real Madrid
8 3MF Aurélien Tchouaméni (2000-01-27) 27 January 2000 (age 24) 36 3 Spain Real Madrid
13 3MF N'Golo Kanté (1991-03-29) 29 March 1991 (age 33) 61 2 Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad
14 3MF Adrien Rabiot (1995-04-03) 3 April 1995 (age 29) 48 4 Unattached
18 3MF Warren Zaïre-Emery (2006-03-08) 8 March 2006 (age 18) 3 1 France Paris Saint-Germain
19 3MF Youssouf Fofana (1999-01-10) 10 January 1999 (age 25) 21 3 France Monaco[a]
7 4FW Antoine Griezmann (vice-captain) (1991-03-21) 21 March 1991 (age 33) 135 44 Spain Atlético Madrid
9 4FW Olivier GiroudRET (1986-09-30) 30 September 1986 (age 37) 137 57 United States Los Angeles FC
10 4FW Kylian Mbappé (captain) (1998-12-20) 20 December 1998 (age 25) 84 48 Spain Real Madrid
11 4FW Ousmane Dembélé (1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 27) 49 5 France Paris Saint-Germain
12 4FW Randal Kolo Muani (1998-12-05) 5 December 1998 (age 25) 22 5 France Paris Saint-Germain
15 4FW Marcus Thuram (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 27) 24 2 Italy Inter Milan
20 4FW Kingsley Coman (1996-06-13) 13 June 1996 (age 28) 57 8 Germany Bayern Munich
25 4FW Bradley Barcola (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 21) 5 0 France Paris Saint-Germain

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up within the past twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Lucas Hernandez (1996-02-14) 14 February 1996 (age 28) 37 0 France Paris Saint-Germain v.  Chile, 26 March 2024
DF Axel Disasi (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26) 5 0 England Chelsea v.  Greece, 21 November 2023
DF Jean-Clair Todibo (1999-12-30) 30 December 1999 (age 24) 2 0 France Nice v.  Greece, 21 November 2023
DF Malo Gusto (2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21) 1 0 England Chelsea v.  Scotland, 17 October 2023
DF Castello Lukeba (2002-12-17) 17 December 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Germany RB Leipzig v.  Scotland, 17 October 2023
MF Matteo Guendouzi (1999-04-14) 14 April 1999 (age 25) 8 1 Italy Lazio v.  Chile, 26 March 2024
MF Boubacar Kamara (1999-11-23) 23 November 1999 (age 24) 5 0 England Aston Villa v.  Greece, 21 November 2023
MF Khéphren Thuram (2001-03-26) 26 March 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Italy Juventus v.  Greece, 21 November 2023
FW Moussa Diaby (1999-07-07) 7 July 1999 (age 25) 11 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad v.  Chile, 26 March 2024
Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad
  • RET = Retired from the national team
  • SUS = Serving suspension

Player of the Year

[edit]
Further information: French Player of the Year

Player records

[edit]
Main articles: List of France international footballers and France national football team records and statistics
See also: List of leading goalscorers for the France national football team and List of France national football team captains
As of 9 July 2024.[80]
Players in bold are still active with France.

Most appearances

[edit]
Hugo Lloris is France's most capped player with 145 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Hugo Lloris 145 0 2008–2022
2 Lilian Thuram 142 2 1994–2008
3 Olivier Giroud 137 57 2011–2024
4 Antoine Griezmann 135 44 2014–present
5 Thierry Henry 123 51 1997–2010
6 Marcel Desailly 116 3 1993–2004
7 Zinedine Zidane 108 31 1994–2006
8 Patrick Vieira 107 6 1997–2009
9 Didier Deschamps 103 4 1989–2000
10 Karim Benzema 97 37 2007–2022
Laurent Blanc 16 1989–2000
Bixente Lizarazu 2 1992–2004

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Olivier Giroud is France's top goalscorer with 57 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Average Career
1 Olivier Giroud (list) 57 137 0.42 2011–2024
2 Thierry Henry (list) 51 123 0.41 1997–2010
3 Kylian Mbappé 48 84 0.57 2017–present
4 Antoine Griezmann 44 135 0.33 2014–present
5 Michel Platini 41 72 0.57 1976–1987
6 Karim Benzema 37 97 0.38 2007–2022
7 David Trezeguet 34 71 0.48 1998–2008
8 Zinedine Zidane 31 108 0.29 1994–2006
9 Just Fontaine 30 21 1.43 1953–1960
Jean-Pierre Papin 54 0.56 1986–1995

Competitive record

[edit]
Main article: France national football team all-time record
For single-match results of the national team, see French football single-season articles and the team's results page

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Tournament played on home soil  

FIFA World Cup

[edit]
Main article: France 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 sixteen FIFA World Cups as of 2022.[81][82] The national team is one of eight sides to have won the World Cup.[83] France won their first World Cup title in 1998 on home soil by defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final match.[84]

In 2006, France finished as runners-up losing 5–3 on penalties to Italy.[85] The team has also finished in third place on two occasions in 1958 and 1986 and in fourth place once in 1982. The team's worst results in the competition were first round eliminations in 2002 and 2010. In 2002, the team suffered an unexpected loss to Senegal and departed the tournament without scoring a goal, while in 2010, a French team torn apart by conflict between the players and staff lost two of three matches and drew the other.[86][87]

In 2014, France advanced to the quarter-finals before losing 1–0 to eventual champions Germany. Four years later, France defeated Croatia 4–2 in the final match and won the World Cup for the second time.[88] In 2022, France finished runners-up to Argentina, losing 4–2 on penalties.

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA —
Uruguay 1930 Group stage 7th 3 1 0 2 4 3 Squad Qualified as invitees
Italy 1934 Round of 16 9th 1 0 0 1 2 3 Squad 1 1 0 0 6 1 1934
France 1938 Quarter-finals 6th 2 1 0 1 4 4 Squad Qualified as hosts 1938
Brazil 1950 Originally did not qualify, then invited, later withdrew 3 0 2 1 4 5 1950
Switzerland 1954 Group stage 11th 2 1 0 1 3 3 Squad 4 4 0 0 20 4 1954
Sweden 1958 Third place 3rd 6 4 0 2 23 15 Squad 4 3 1 0 19 4 1958
Chile 1962 Did not qualify 5 3 0 2 10 4 1962
England 1966 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 2 5 Squad 6 5 0 1 9 2 1966
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 4 2 0 2 6 4 1970
West Germany 1974 4 1 1 2 3 5 1974
Argentina 1978 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 5 5 Squad 4 2 1 1 7 4 1978
Spain 1982 Fourth place 4th 7 3 2 2 16 12 Squad 8 5 0 3 20 8 1982
Mexico 1986 Third place 3rd 7 4 2 1 12 6 Squad 8 5 1 2 15 4 1986
Italy 1990 Did not qualify 8 3 3 2 10 7 1990
United States 1994 10 6 1 3 17 10 1994
France 1998 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 15 2 Squad Qualified as hosts 1998
South Korea Japan 2002 Group stage 28th 3 0 1 2 0 3 Squad Qualified as defending champions 2002
Germany 2006 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 3 0 9 3 Squad 10 5 5 0 14 2 2006
South Africa 2010 Group stage 29th 3 0 1 2 1 4 Squad 12 7 4 1 20 10 2010
Brazil 2014 Quarter-finals 7th 5 3 1 1 10 3 Squad 10 6 2 2 18 8 2014
Russia 2018 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 14 6 Squad 10 7 2 1 18 6 2018
Qatar 2022 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 1 1 16 8 Squad 8 5 3 0 18 3 2022
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined 2026
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034 2034
Total 2 Titles 16/22 73 39 14 20 136 85 — 119 70 26 23 234 91 —
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
**Red border indicates tournament was held on home soil.

UEFA European Championship

[edit]
Main article: France at the UEFA European Championship

France is one of the most successful nations at the UEFA European Championship having won two titles in 1984 and 2000. The team is just below Spain and Germany who have won three titles each. France hosted the inaugural competition in 1960 and have appeared in eleven UEFA European Championship tournaments, tied for fourth-best. The team won their first title on home soil in 1984 and were led by Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini. In 2000, the team, led by FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane, won its second title in Belgium and the Netherlands. The team's worst result in the competition was a first-round elimination in 1992 and 2008.

UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA —
France 1960 Fourth place 4th 2 0 0 2 4 7 Squad 4 3 1 0 17 6 1960
Spain 1964 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 11 10 1964
Italy 1968 8 4 2 2 16 12 1968
Belgium 1972 6 3 1 2 10 8 1972
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976 6 1 3 2 7 6 1976
Italy 1980 6 4 1 1 13 7 1980
France 1984 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 14 4 Squad Qualified as hosts 1984
West Germany 1988 Did not qualify 8 1 4 3 4 7 1988
Sweden 1992 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad 8 8 0 0 20 6 1992
England 1996 Semi-finals 3rd 5 2 3 0 5 2 Squad 10 5 5 0 22 2 1996
Belgium Netherlands 2000 Champions 1st 6 5 0 1 13 7 Squad 10 6 3 1 17 10 2000
Portugal 2004 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 1 1 7 5 Squad 8 8 0 0 29 2 2004
Austria Switzerland 2008 Group stage 15th 3 0 1 2 1 6 Squad 12 8 2 2 25 5 2008
Poland Ukraine 2012 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 5 Squad 10 6 3 1 15 4 2012
France 2016 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 1 1 13 5 Squad Qualified as hosts 2016
Europe 2020 Round of 16 11th 4 1 3 0 7 6 Squad 10 8 1 1 25 6 2020
Germany 2024 Semi-finals 3rd 6 2 3 1 4 3 Squad 8 7 1 0 29 3 2024
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined To be determined 2028
Italy Turkey 2032 2032
Total 2 Titles 11/17 49 23 15 11 73 53 — 120 74 28 18 260 94 —
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

UEFA Nations League

[edit]
Main article: France at the UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
League phase Finals
Season LG Grp Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK Year Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
2018–19 A 1 2nd 4 2 1 1 4 4 Same position 6th Portugal 2019 Did not qualify
2020–21 A 3 1st 6 5 1 0 12 5 Same position 1st Italy 2021 1st 2 2 0 0 5 3 Squad
2022–23 A 1 3rd 6 1 2 3 5 7 Same position 12th Netherlands 2023 Did not qualify
2024–25 A 2 To be determined 2025 To be determined
Total 16 8 4 4 21 16 12th Total 2 2 0 0 5 3 1 Title
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
**Group stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.

FIFA Confederations Cup

[edit]
Main article: France at the FIFA Confederations Cup

France have appeared in two of the eight FIFA Confederations Cups contested and won the competition on both appearances. The team's two titles place in second place only trailing Brazil who have won four. France won their first Confederations Cup in 2001 having appeared in the competition as a result of winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998. The team defeated Japan 1–0 in the final match. In the following Confederations Cup in 2003, France, appearing in the competition as the host country, won the competition beating Cameroon 1–0 after extra time.

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Saudi Arabia 1992 Did not qualify
Saudi Arabia 1995
Saudi Arabia 1997
Mexico 1999
South Korea Japan 2001 Champions 1st 5 4 0 1 12 2 Squad
France 2003 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 12 3 Squad
Germany 2005 Did not qualify
South Africa 2009
Brazil 2013
Russia 2017
Total 2 Titles 2/10 10 9 0 1 24 5 —

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions

[edit]
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
France 1985 Champions 1st 1 1 0 0 2 0
Argentina 1993 Did not qualify
England 2022
Total 1 Title 1/3 1 1 0 0 2 0

Honours

[edit]
France celebrating their victory of the 2018 FIFA World Cup
This is a list of honours for the senior France national team.
Competition 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
FIFA World Cup 2 2 2 6
Olympic Games 1 1 0 2
FIFA Confederations Cup 2 0 0 2
UEFA European Championship 2 1 0 3
UEFA Nations League 1 0 0 1
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 1 0 0 1
Total 9 4 2 15

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Monaco is a Monégasque club playing in the French football league system.
  1. ^ Due to the Israel–Hamas war, Israel are required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.[77]

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