France have won the FIFA World Cup twice — at home in 1998 and again in Russia in 2018 — making Les Bleus one of the most dominant teams of the modern era. The 2026 edition is their 17th appearance, and they are chasing a third star at World Cup 2026.
France’s World Cup Record at a Glance
France have lifted the trophy twice and reached four finals between 1998 and 2022. They first appeared at the inaugural 1930 tournament and have qualified 17 times in total.
| Year | Host | Final Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | France | Beat Brazil 3–0 (champions) |
| 2006 | Germany | Lost to Italy on penalties |
| 2018 | Russia | Beat Croatia 4–2 (champions) |
| 2022 | Qatar | Lost to Argentina on penalties |
1998: Les Bleus Conquer at Home
France’s first World Cup title came on home soil in 1998, capped by a 3–0 win over Brazil in the final in Paris.
Zinedine Zidane scored twice with his head, and Emmanuel Petit added a third in stoppage time to seal the nation’s first major trophy.
The 1958 Foundation
Long before 1998, France’s best early run came in 1958, when they finished third in Sweden.
Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at that tournament — a single-edition record that stood unbroken for more than 65 years.
2018: A Second Star in Russia
France claimed their second title in 2018, beating Croatia 4–2 in the Moscow final — one of the highest-scoring World Cup finals in decades.
A 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé scored in that final, with Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba also on the scoresheet for Didier Deschamps’ young side.
Finals Heartbreak: 2006 and 2022
France’s history also holds two painful final defeats, both decided on penalties.
- 2006 — lost to Italy in Berlin after Zidane was sent off for a headbutt in his final professional match.
- 2022 — lost to Argentina in Qatar despite a Mbappé hat-trick that forced extra time.
The 2022 run made France the first team since Brazil (1998–2002) to reach back-to-back finals.
France at the 2026 World Cup
France opened their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3–1 win over Senegal in Group I, with Mbappé scoring twice.
That brace took Mbappé to 14 career World Cup goals, passing Fontaine’s French record and moving him third on the all-time list behind Miroslav Klose (16) and Ronaldo (15).
The tournament runs across the USA, Mexico and Canada from June to July 2026. Plan ahead with these Wego guides:
- Check the full World Cup 2026 schedule and opening match details.
- Browse all host cities and grab match tickets before they sell out.
- Compare flights to New York and find hotels in New York near the venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cups has France won?
France have won two World Cups — in 1998 and 2018 — and reached four finals in total.
When did France win the World Cup?
France won their first title in 1998 (beating Brazil 3–0) and their second in 2018 (beating Croatia 4–2).
Who is France’s all-time top World Cup scorer?
Kylian Mbappé, who passed Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals during the 2026 tournament.
How many times has France reached the World Cup final?
Four times — in 1998, 2006, 2018 and 2022 — winning twice and losing twice on penalties.
Sources
- FIFA — France World Cup History, Records and 2026 Fixtures
- ESPN — France at the Men’s World Cup: All-Time Results and Stats
- Al Jazeera — France and World Cup Records Mbappé Broke vs Senegal
- Olympics.com — How Many World Cup Titles Has France Won?
- Topend Sports — France at the Football World Cup
- CBS Sports — List of FIFA World Cup Final Winners
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