1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was hosted by France from 10 June to 12 July. It was the first tournament with 32 teams; France won its first title, beating Brazil 3–0 in the final.

Overview

The 1998 FIFA World Cup took place in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. It was the first edition of the tournament to feature 32 national teams, expanding the finals and altering qualification dynamics worldwide. The host nation, France, claimed its first World Cup title with a 3–0 victory over Brazil in the final, a match remembered for two headed goals by Zinédine Zidane and a third strike that sealed the result. For an official overview and statistics see the tournament page: 1998 World Cup summary.

Format and venues

The competition used eight groups of four teams in a round-robin group stage, followed by a single-elimination knockout phase from the round of 16 to the final. Matches were staged across multiple French cities in a set of national stadiums, reflecting the host country's infrastructure and regional spread. Details on fixtures and stadiums are available at this football resource: tournament format and fixtures.

Key facts

Dates: 10 June – 12 July 1998.
Teams: 32 national teams from six confederations.
Champion: France (first title).
Runner-up: Brazil.
Top scorer (Golden Boot): Davor Šuker of Croatia, who finished as the tournament's leading scorer.

Notable matches and players

The final is widely cited as one of the tournament's defining moments, while other matches produced surprises and emerging stars. Several individual performances drew global attention: Zidane's influence for France in the later knockout rounds, Croatia's strong debut with a high finishing place for a newly independent nation, and younger players who announced themselves on the world stage. The Brazil squad also attracted scrutiny after pre-match events that affected their preparation for the final. For team-by-team reports and match summaries consult contemporary match archives: match reports and national team pages such as France and Brazil.

Legacy

Beyond the trophy, the 1998 World Cup left a lasting imprint: the 32-team format became the standard until later expansions, and the victory boosted football's popularity and development in France, contributing to a generation of successful players and managers. The tournament remains a frequent reference point in discussions about tournament organization, national footballing identity, and the careers of several iconic players.