France, Les Bleus, are the dominant force of modern international football, combining dazzling attacking talent with depth unmatched by any rival. Powered by superstar Kylian Mbappé and a steady stream of world-class players, the two-time champions are perennial favorites on the world stage.
France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, with Zinedine Zidane's two headers beating Brazil in the final, and again in 2018 behind a young Mbappé. They came within a penalty shootout of a third title in 2022, with Mbappé's hat-trick in a thrilling final against Argentina, and were runners-up in 2006, when Zidane's infamous headbutt marred his farewell. With three finals in their last four campaigns, France have established themselves as the team to beat.
Source: Claude