Early years (1900–1930s)

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.^[17] The team competed in its first official international match on 1 May 1904 against Belgium in Brussels, ending in a 3–3 draw.^[18] 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 became notable in the match as he scored not only France's first World Cup goal, but 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

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 70s 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.^[19] 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 were among the favorites to win the competition. For the second consecutive World Cup, they reached the semi-finals and faced West Germany. Again, they were defeated by Germany 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.

First World Cup victory and other successes in the Zidane era (1990s–2000s)

Platini did lead the team to Euro 1992 and, despite going on a 19-match unbeaten streak prior to the competition, suffered elimination in the group stage. A week after the completion of the tournament, Platini stepped down as manager and was replaced by his assistant Gérard Houllier. Under 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.^[20] 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.

Under Jacquet, the national team achieved multiple successes. The squad comprised some experienced players from the group that had failed to reach the 1994 FIFA 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.^[21] 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, with Italy winning 5–3 on penalties to be crowned World Cup champions. The match featured a notable incident during extra time that led to captain Zinedine Zidane being sent off.

The French team in front of fans in 2006.

Downfall (2007–2015)

France started its qualifying round for Euro 2008 strong and qualified for the tournament, despite two defeats to Scotland. Despite the good 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.^[22][23] 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 controversial circumstances, to qualify for the World Cup.^[24]

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.^[25][26] 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.^[27][28][29] 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".^[30] France then lost their final game 2–1 to the hosts South Africa and failed to advance to the knockout stage.^[31] 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.^[32] Following the completion of the World Cup tournament, Federation President Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned from his position.^[33]

Domenech, whose contract had expired, was succeeded as head coach by former international Laurent Blanc.^[34] 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.^[35] On 6 August, five players who were deemed to have played a major role in the training boycott were disciplined for their roles.^[36][37]

At Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, France reached the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by eventual champions Spain.^[38][39] 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.^[40][41] His team qualified for the 2014 World Cup by beating Ukraine in the play-offs.^[42] At the 2014 World Cup, France lost to eventual champions Germany in the quarter-finals courtesy of an early goal by Mats Hummels.^[43]

Renewed success (2016–present)

France automatically qualified as hosts for Euro 2016.^[44] France advanced to the knockout stages, before defeating the Republic of Ireland and Iceland.^[45] In the semi-final, France defeated Germany 2–0, marking their first win over Germany at a major tournament since 1958.^[46][47] France, however, were beaten by Portugal 1–0 in the final courtesy of an extra-time goal by Eder.

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, France finished top of their group to advance to the last 16.^[48] France subsequently defeated Argentina 4–3 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.^[48][49] On 15 July, France beat Croatia in the final 4–2 to win the World Cup for the second time.^[50]

UEFA Euro 2020 was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[51] At Euro 2020, France finished top of a group containing Germany, Portugal and Hungary,^[52] which was described by pundits as the "group of death".^[53] However, they were eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.^[52] The Swiss had held France to a 3–3 draw in normal time before winning on penalties.^[52]

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, France looked to defend their title in Qatar.^[54] 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.^[55] However, they were defeated on penalties by Argentina after a thrilling 3–3 draw.^[56]

Media coverage

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.^[58] 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.^[59]

After France won their second World Cup in 2018, M6 together with TF1 broadcast all international fixtures featuring France respectively until 2022.^[60]

Kits and crest

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–^[61] on the left.^[62]

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.^[63]

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.^[64] 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.^[65][66]

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.^[67] 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.^[68]

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier	Period	Notes
Allen Sport	1938–1966[69][70]
Le Coq Sportif	1966–1971
Adidas	1972–2010
Nike	2011–present

Kit deals

Kit supplier	Period	Contract announcement	Contract duration	Value	Notes
Nike	2011–present	22 February 2008	2011–2018 (7 years)	Total €340.8 million (€42.6 million per year)[71]
		8 December 2016	2018–2026 (8 years)	Total €450 million (€50 million per year)[72]

Nickname

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.^[73] 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").

2023

France  v  Netherlands

24 March 2023 (2023-03-24) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	France	4–0	Netherlands	Saint-Denis, France
20:45	Griezmann 2' Upamecano 8' Mbappé 21', 88'	Report		Stadium: Stade de France Attendance: 77,328 Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)

Republic of Ireland  v  France

27 March 2023 (2023-03-27) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	Republic of Ireland	0–1	France	Dublin, Republic of Ireland
20:45 (19:45 UTC+1)		Report	Pavard 50'	Stadium: Aviva Stadium Attendance: 50,219 Referee: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)

Gibraltar  v  France

16 June 2023 (2023-06-16) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	Gibraltar	0–3	France	Faro/Loulé, Portugal
20:45		Report	Giroud 3' Mbappé 45+3' (pen.) Mouelhi 78' (o.g.)	Stadium: Estádio Algarve Attendance: 4,065 Referee: Yevhenii Aranovskiy (Ukraine)

France  v  Greece

19 June 2023 (2023-06-19) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	France	1–0	Greece	Saint-Denis, France
20:45	Mbappé 55' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Stade de France Attendance: 76,500 Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

France  v  Republic of Ireland

7 September 2023 (2023-09-07) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	France	2–0	Republic of Ireland	Paris, France
20:45	Tchouaméni 19' Thuram 48'	Report		Stadium: Parc des Princes Attendance: 43,995 Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland)

Germany  v  France

12 September 2023 (2023-09-12) Friendly	Germany	2–1	France	Dortmund, Germany
21:00	Müller 4' Sané 87'	Report	Griezmann 89' (pen.)	Stadium: Signal Iduna Park Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)

Netherlands  v  France

13 October 2023 (2023-10-13) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	Netherlands	1–2	France	Amsterdam, Netherlands
20:45	Hartman 83'	Report	Mbappé 7', 53'	Stadium: Johan Cruyff Arena Attendance: 51,310 Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)

France  v  Scotland

17 October 2023 (2023-10-17) Friendly	France	4–1	Scotland	Lille, France
21:00	Pavard 16', 24' Mbappé 41' (pen.) Coman 70'	Report	Gilmour 11'	Stadium: Stade Pierre-Mauroy Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)

France  v  Gibraltar

18 November 2023 (2023-11-18) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	France	14–0	Gibraltar	Nice, France
20:45	Santos 3' (o.g.) M. Thuram 4' Zaïre-Emery 16' Mbappé 30' (pen.), 74', 82' Clauss 34' Coman 36', 65' Fofana 37' Rabiot 63' Dembélé 73' Giroud 89', 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Allianz Riviera Attendance: 32,758 Referee: John Brooks (England)

Greece  v  France

21 November 2023 (2023-11-21) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying	Greece	2–2	France	Athens, Greece
21:45	Bakasetas 56' Ioannidis 61'	Report	Kolo Muani 42' Fofana 74'	Stadium: Agia Sophia Stadium Attendance: 24,820 Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

2024

France  v  Germany

23 March 2024 Friendly	France	v	Germany	Lyon, France
21:05 UTC+1				Stadium: Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Austria  v  France

17 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 GS	Austria	v	France	Düsseldorf, Germany
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)		Report		Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena

Netherlands  v  France

21 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 GS	Netherlands	v	France	Leipzig, Germany
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)		Report		Stadium: Red Bull Arena

France  v Play-off winner A

25 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 GS	France	v	Play-off winner A	Dortmund, Germany
18:00 CEST (UTC+2)		Report		Stadium: Westfalenstadion

Coaching history

As of 18 November 2023

Managers in italics were hired as caretakers

Manager	France career	Pld	W	D	L	Win %
Henri Guérin	1964–1966	15	5	4	6	033.3
José Arribas Jean Snella	1966	4	2	0	2	050.0
Just Fontaine	1967	2	0	0	2	000.0
Louis Dugauguez	1967–1968	9	2	3	4	022.2
Georges Boulogne	1969–1973	31	15	5	11	048.4
Ștefan Kovács	1973–1975	15	6	4	5	040.0
Michel Hidalgo	1976–1984	75	41	16	18	054.7
Henri Michel	1984–1988	36	16	12	8	044.4
Michel Platini	1988–1992	29	16	8	5	055.2
Gérard Houllier	1992–1993	12	7	1	4	058.3
Aimé Jacquet	1993–1998	53	34	16	3	064.2
Roger Lemerre	1998–2002	53	34	11	8	064.2
Jacques Santini	2002–2004	28	22	4	2	078.6
Raymond Domenech	2004–2010	79	41	24	14	051.9
Laurent Blanc	2010–2012	27	16	7	4	059.3
Didier Deschamps	2012–present	148	97	28	23	065.5

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against the Gibraltar and Greece on 18 and 21 November 2023, respectively.^[75]

Caps and goals as of 21 November 2023, after the match against Greece.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Brice Samba	(1994-04-26) 26 April 1994	2	0	Lens
16	1GK	Mike Maignan	(1995-07-03) 3 July 1995	13	0	AC Milan
23	1GK	Alphonse Areola	(1993-02-27) 27 February 1993	5	0	West Ham United
2	2DF	Jonathan Clauss	(1992-09-25) 25 September 1992	10	1	Marseille
3	2DF	Axel Disasi	(1998-03-11) 11 March 1998	5	0	Chelsea
4	2DF	Dayot Upamecano	(1998-10-27) 27 October 1998	17	2	Bayern Munich
5	2DF	Jules Koundé	(1998-11-12) 12 November 1998	24	0	Barcelona
13	2DF	Jean-Clair Todibo	(1999-12-30) 30 December 1999	2	0	Nice
17	2DF	William Saliba	(2001-03-24) 24 March 2001	12	0	Arsenal
21	2DF	Lucas Hernandez	(1996-02-14) 14 February 1996	36	0	Paris Saint-Germain
22	2DF	Théo Hernandez	(1997-10-06) 6 October 1997	23	2	AC Milan
6	3MF	Khéphren Thuram	(2001-03-26) 26 March 2001	1	0	Nice
14	3MF	Adrien Rabiot	(1995-04-03) 3 April 1995	42	4	Juventus
18	3MF	Youssouf Fofana	(1999-01-10) 10 January 1999	15	2	Monaco[lower-alpha 1]
19	3MF	Boubacar Kamara	(1999-11-23) 23 November 1999	5	0	Aston Villa
7	4FW	Antoine Griezmann (vice-captain)	(1991-03-21) 21 March 1991	127	44	Atlético Madrid
9	4FW	Olivier Giroud	(1986-09-30) 30 September 1986	129	56	AC Milan
10	4FW	Kylian Mbappé (captain)	(1998-12-20) 20 December 1998	75	46	Paris Saint-Germain
11	4FW	Ousmane Dembélé	(1997-05-15) 15 May 1997	42	5	Paris Saint-Germain
12	4FW	Randal Kolo Muani	(1998-12-05) 5 December 1998	13	2	Paris Saint-Germain
15	4FW	Marcus Thuram	(1997-08-06) 6 August 1997	16	2	Inter Milan
20	4FW	Kingsley Coman	(1996-06-13) 13 June 1996	55	8	Bayern Munich

Recent call-ups

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	Ibrahima Konaté	(1999-05-25) 25 May 1999	13	0	Liverpool	v.  Gibraltar, 18 November 2023 INJ
DF	Benjamin Pavard	(1996-03-28) 28 March 1996	52	5	Inter Milan	v.  Scotland, 17 October 2023
DF	Malo Gusto	(2003-05-19) 19 May 2003	1	0	Chelsea	v.  Scotland, 17 October 2023
DF	Castello Lukeba	(2002-12-17) 17 December 2002	1	0	RB Leipzig	v.  Scotland, 17 October 2023
DF	Wesley Fofana	(2000-12-17) 17 December 2000	1	0	Chelsea	v.  Greece, 19 June 2023
DF	Ferland Mendy	(1995-06-08) 8 June 1995	9	0	Real Madrid	v.  Gibraltar, 16 June 2023 INJ
MF	Warren Zaïre-Emery	(2006-03-08) 8 March 2006	1	1	Paris Saint-Germain	v.  Greece, 21 November 2023 INJ
MF	Eduardo Camavinga	(2002-11-10) 10 November 2002	13	1	Real Madrid	v.  Gibraltar, 18 November 2023 INJ
MF	Aurélien Tchouaméni	(2000-01-27) 27 January 2000	29	3	Real Madrid	v.  Scotland, 17 October 2023
MF	Jordan Veretout	(1993-03-01) 1 March 1993	6	0	Marseille	v.  Greece, 19 June 2023
FW	Christopher Nkunku	(1997-11-14) 14 November 1997	10	0	Chelsea	v.  Greece, 19 June 2023
FW	Moussa Diaby	(1999-07-07) 7 July 1999	10	0	Aston Villa	v.  Republic of Ireland, 27 March 2023
Notes INJ = Withdrew due to injury PRE = Preliminary squad RET = Retired from the national team SUS = Serving suspension

Player of the Year

Most appearances

Hugo Lloris is France's most capped player with 145 appearances.

Top goalscorers

Olivier Giroud is France's top goalscorer with 56 goals.

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.^[77][78] The national team is one of eight sides to have won the World Cup.^[79] France won their first World Cup title in 1998 on home soil by defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final match.^[80]

In 2006, France finished as runners-up losing 5–3 on penalties to Italy.^[81] 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.^[82][83]

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.^[84] 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	—
1930	Group stage	7th	3	1	0	2	4	3	Squad		Qualified as invitees
1934	Round of 16	9th	1	0	0	1	2	3	Squad		1	1	0	0	6	1	1934
1938	Quarter-finals	6th	2	1	0	1	4	4	Squad		Qualified as hosts						1938
1950	Originally did not qualify, then invited, later withdrew										3	0	2	1	4	5	1950
1954	Group stage	11th	2	1	0	1	3	3	Squad		4	4	0	0	20	4	1954
1958	Third place	3rd	6	4	0	2	23	15	Squad		4	3	1	0	19	4	1958
1962	Did not qualify										5	3	0	2	10	4	1962
1966	Group stage	13th	3	0	1	2	2	5	Squad		6	5	0	1	9	2	1966
1970	Did not qualify										4	2	0	2	6	4	1970
1974											4	1	1	2	3	5	1974
1978	Group stage	12th	3	1	0	2	5	5	Squad		4	2	1	1	7	4	1978
1982	Fourth place	4th	7	3	2	2	16	12	Squad		8	5	0	3	20	8	1982
1986	Third place	3rd	7	4	2	1	12	6	Squad		8	5	1	2	15	4	1986
1990	Did not qualify										8	3	3	2	10	7	1990
1994											10	6	1	3	17	10	1994
1998	Champions	1st	7	6	1	0	15	2	Squad		Qualified as hosts						1998
2002	Group stage	28th	3	0	1	2	0	3	Squad		Qualified as defending champions						2002
2006	Runners-up	2nd	7	4	3	0	9	3	Squad		10	5	5	0	14	2	2006
2010	Group stage	29th	3	0	1	2	1	4	Squad		12	7	4	1	20	10	2010
2014	Quarter-finals	7th	5	3	1	1	10	3	Squad		10	6	2	2	18	8	2014
2018	Champions	1st	7	6	1	0	14	6	Squad		10	7	2	1	18	6	2018
2022	Runners-up	2nd	7	5	1	1	16	8	Squad		8	5	3	0	18	3	2022
2026	To be determined										To be determined						2026
2030																	2030
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

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	—
1960	Fourth place	4th	2	0	0	2	4	7	Squad		4	3	1	0	17	6	1960
1964	Did not qualify										6	2	1	3	11	10	1964
1968											8	4	2	2	16	12	1968
1972											6	3	1	2	10	8	1972
1976											6	1	3	2	7	6	1976
1980											6	4	1	1	13	7	1980
1984	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	14	4	Squad		Qualified as hosts						1984
1988	Did not qualify										8	1	4	3	4	7	1988
1992	Group stage	6th	3	0	2	1	2	3	Squad		8	8	0	0	20	6	1992
1996	Semi-finals	3rd	5	2	3	0	5	2	Squad		10	5	5	0	22	2	1996
2000	Champions	1st	6	5	0	1	13	7	Squad		10	6	3	1	17	10	2000
2004	Quarter-finals	6th	4	2	1	1	7	5	Squad		8	8	0	0	29	2	2004
2008	Group stage	15th	3	0	1	2	1	6	Squad		12	8	2	2	25	5	2008
2012	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	3	5	Squad		10	6	3	1	15	4	2012
2016	Runners-up	2nd	7	5	1	1	13	5	Squad		Qualified as hosts						2016
2020	Round of 16	11th	4	1	3	0	7	6	Squad		10	8	1	1	25	6	2020
2024	Qualified										8	7	1	0	29	3	2024
2028	To be determined										To be determined						2028
2032																	2032
Total	2 Titles	11/17	43	21	12	10	69	50	—		120	74	28	18	260	94	—

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

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		6th		2019	Did not qualify
2020–21	A	3	1st	6	5	1	0	12	5		1st		2021	1st	2	2	0	0	5	3	Squad
2022–23	A	1	3rd	6	1	2	3	5	7		12th		2023	Did not qualify
2024–25	A	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 on penalty kicks.

**Group stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.

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
1992	Did not qualify
1995
1997
1999
2001	Champions	1st	5	4	0	1	12	2	Squad
2003	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	12	3	Squad
2005	Did not qualify
2009
2013
2017
Total	2 Titles	2/10	10	9	0	1	24	5	—

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions

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