1998 FIFA World Cup in France — Full History, Winners & Key Moments

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was the 16th edition of the tournament, bringing together Men’s national football teams from around the world. It took place in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998, lasting 32 days. It was the second time France hosted the event and the ninth time it took place in Europe.

The 1998 World Cup featured 32 teams, an expansion from the previous 24-team format in FIFA history. The introduction of the 32-team format, which remained until the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

France’s national team won its 1st World Cup trophy in the history of FIFA. France claimed the championship after defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final, held on July 12, 1998, at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris. This victory made France the first host nation to win since Argentina in 1978.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup left a lasting legacy in world football. It confirmed France as a global football powerhouse, popularized the expanded tournament format, and helped launch or elevate the careers of several football icons. The success of the event also strengthened France’s reputation as a top host nation for major international tournaments.

1998 FIFA World Cup, France

In this tournament, 32 teams (from 5 confederations) qualified and 10 Venues were selected with 10 host cities. Davor Šuker was the top scorer of the 1998 World Cup with 6 goals. Michael Owen was selected as the best young Player, and Ronaldo was selected as the Best Player.

Qualification for FIFA World 1998

• CAF (Africa) – 5 teams (Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia)
• AFC (Asia) – 3.5 Teams (South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran (via playoff))
• UEFA (Europe) – 14 Teams (France (automatic), Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Yugoslavia)
• CONMEBOL (South America) – 5 Team (Brazil (automatic), Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay)
• CONCACAF (North America, Central America, Caribbean) – 3 Teams (Mexico, USA, Jamaica)

1998 FIFA World Cup Quick Facts

• Croatia, South Africa, Jamaica and Japan have qualified for the first time, marking a remarkable debut.
• Portugal, Russia, Uruguay, Czech Republic, Sweden, Ukraine, and Australia.
• The highest number of goals scored in a 32-team World Cup is 171 goals.
• Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Davor Šuker, Dennis Bergkamp, Jay-Jay Okocha and Gabriel Batistuta are big faces of the World Cup.

Tournament Overview

France hosted matches across 10 stadiums in 10 different cities, showcasing modern infrastructure and football culture. A total of 64 matches were played, producing 171 goals, with an average of 2.67 goals per match. The tournament attracted nearly 2.8 million spectators, confirming the World Cup’s status as the world’s biggest sporting event.

The final was played at the newly built Stade de France in Saint-Denis, which also hosted the opening match.

• Champions – France
• Runners-up– Brazil
• Third place- Croatia
• Fourth place- Netherlands

France’s Historic Triumph

The host nation France, lifted their first-ever World Cup title with a dominant 3–0 victory over Brazil in the final. Zinedine Zidane was the hero of the night, scoring two first-half headers, while Emmanuel Petit sealed the win late on.

France’s success was built on defensive strength, tactical discipline, and a balanced squad featuring players like Didier Deschamps, Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Brazil and Ronaldo

Defending champions Brazil entered the tournament as favorites and reached the final once again. Star striker Ronaldo was named Golden Ball winner as the best player of the tournament, despite Brazil’s disappointing performance in the final. Ronaldo’s sudden illness before kickoff became one of the most discussed moments in World Cup history.

Croatia’s Fairytale Run

One of the biggest stories of 1998 was Croatia’s World Cup debut. Led by striker Davor Šuker, Croatia finished third, defeating the Netherlands in the playoff match. Šuker won the Golden Boot with 6 goals, becoming the tournament’s top scorer.

Awards

FIFA World Cup Ball

The official match ball for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France was called “Tricolore,” from the Latin word meaning “three-colored.” Its design drew inspiration from the vibrant colors tied to France’s traditional symbols.

Venues or Stadiums

9 cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Chicago, Dallas, and Orlando. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted the final.