FRANCE
The 2010 World Cup will mark France’s 13th appearance at the finals. Their finest moment was, undoubtedly, on home soil in 1998 when they beat Brazil 3-0 to claim the World Cup title for the first and, thus far, only time in their history.
They came close again in 2006 when the brilliance of Zinedine Zidane inspired their aged team to the final, but Italy took the glory on penalties.
Les Bleus have qualified for the semifinals on two other occasions: 1958 in Sweden and 1986 in Mexico. They lost on both occasions but ended up winning the third place playoff match.France have also hosted two World Cup tournaments: the third edition of the finals in 1938 and, as mentioned above, in 1998 when they won the title.
Les Bleus have the unfortunate record of having giving the worst defence of a World Cup title: in 2002 they finished rock bottom of Group A and failed to even score in any of their three first round matches.
They came close again in 2006 when the brilliance of Zinedine Zidane inspired their aged team to the final, but Italy took the glory on penalties.
Les Bleus have qualified for the semifinals on two other occasions: 1958 in Sweden and 1986 in Mexico. They lost on both occasions but ended up winning the third place playoff match.France have also hosted two World Cup tournaments: the third edition of the finals in 1938 and, as mentioned above, in 1998 when they won the title.
Les Bleus have the unfortunate record of having giving the worst defence of a World Cup title: in 2002 they finished rock bottom of Group A and failed to even score in any of their three first round matches.
