Two-time FIFA World Cup champions France now begin any tournament as among the favorites. The nation is continuously producing numerous talents that already have a very rich history.
Last two-time World Cup finalists, including winning the 2018 edition, France started the FIFA World Cup 2026 journey from Group I, where they faced talented teams like Norway, Senegal, and Iraq. Starting with 3-1 and 3-0 wins against Senegal and Iraq, respectively, France then thrashed Norway by 4-1 to end the group stage with the perfect nine points.
FIFA World Cup: Knockout Stage Records
Final Appearances: 4 times
France have played four World Cup Finals, winning twice and losing twice
Won: 2 times (1998, 2018)
Lost: 2 times (2006, 2022)
Result at full regular 90 minutes (including stoppage time):
Won: 2 times (1998, 2018)
Lost: Never
Result in penalty shootout:
Won: Never
Lost: 2 times (2006, 2022)
Round of 16: 9 games
France has major success in the Round of 16, where they have never lost in the full regular time.
Won: 8 matches (including 1 golden goal)
Lost: 1 match (including 1 extra time)
Quarterfinals: 8 games
World Cup Quarterfinals are also their success zone, where they have also registered their rare WC penalty shootout successes.
Won: 6 matches (including 2 penalty shootouts)
Lost: 2 matches
Semifinals: 7 games
WC semifinals have experienced a tight win-loss ratio for France.
Won: 4 matches
Lost: 3 matches (including 1 penalty shootout)
France’s best and worst performances in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages
Biggest Wins
4-0 vs Northern Ireland (Quarterfinal, 1958)
3-0 vs Brazil (Final, 1998)
Biggest Defeats
5-2 vs Brazil (Semifinal, 1958)
3-1 vs Italy (Quarterfinal, 1938)
France status in the last 5 tournaments:
EURO 2024: Semifinals
FIFA World Cup 2022: Runners-up
EURO 2020: Round of 16
FIFA World Cup 2018: Champions
EURO 2016: Runners-up
The present generation of the France national football team is undoubtedly the golden generation of the team, as they start every major tournament as favorites. In three out of the last five major tournaments, they reached the final, including lifting the FIFA World Cup 2018 trophy.
