Has France ever won a World Cup? Team's history on soccer's biggest stage

Jul 14, 2026 - 11:15

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France is chasing history on a number of fronts at the 2026 World Cup.

With a win over Spain in the semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, France would be just the third nation to reach three consecutive men's World Cup finals, joining Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002) and West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990).

With a win in the final on Sunday, July 19, it could join Argentina as three-time World Cup winners. Only Brazil (five), and Germany and Italy (four apiece) have more World Cup wins.

France coach Didier Deschamps already is the second person to win the men's World Cup as both a player and a coach (joining Germany's Franz Beckenbauer). He's also looking to become just the second coach (joining Italy's Vittorio Pozzo, 1934 and 1938) to win a men's World Cup twice (a list Argentina's Lionel Scaloni is also aiming to join).

Here's a look at France's history in the World Cup:

Has France ever won the World Cup?

Yes, France has won two World Cups. Its first triumph came in 1998 when France hosted the tournament. France won its second World Cup in 2018.

In the 1998 tournament, France defeated Brazil in the final, 3-0, at Stade de France in Paris. In the 2018 World Cup, France defeated Croatia, 4-2, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

France came tantalizingly close to a repeat World Cup win in 2022 (no team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962). France reached the final but lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout. It was the second time France had been World Cup runners-up, having lost in another famous final in 2006.