The 1998 World Cup was held in France from 10 June to 12 July and was the first edition expanded to 32 teams. Host France won its first title by defeating defending champion Brazil 3–0 in the final. Croatia finished third in its first World Cup as an independent nation, while the Netherlands completed the final four.
France won its group, survived extra time against Paraguay and penalties against Italy, then defeated Croatia before producing its strongest performance in the final. Brazil reached a second consecutive final behind Ronaldo and Rivaldo but struggled against France's midfield pressure and set pieces. Croatia, Denmark, Nigeria and the Netherlands added several of the tournament's most attacking matches.
France 1998 established the eight-groups-of-four format that remained in place through 2022. It delivered a first title for the host, a six-goal Golden Boot for Davor Šuker and an important breakthrough for Croatia. The final also became a defining moment for Zinedine Zidane, whose two headed goals gave France control before Emmanuel Petit completed the scoreline.
France combined the tournament's strongest defensive record with a midfield built around Didier Deschamps, Emmanuel Petit and Zinedine Zidane. Lilian Thuram's two semifinal goals were the only goals of his international career.
Zidane scored twice from corners in the final and Petit added a late third goal as France defeated Brazil 3–0.
Explore France World Cup teams →Ronaldo scored four goals and received the Golden Ball, while Rivaldo and Bebeto supplied additional attacking quality. Brazil survived a penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the semifinal.
The final did not follow Brazil's earlier attacking pattern. France controlled central areas and punished two first-half corner kicks before completing a 3–0 victory.
Explore Brazil World Cup teams →Croatia reached the semifinals in its first World Cup as an independent country. A 3–0 quarterfinal victory over Germany confirmed the team's quality.
Davor Šuker scored six goals, including the winner against the Netherlands in the third-place match, and won the Golden Boot.
Dennis Bergkamp's late goal against Argentina decided one of the tournament's strongest quarterfinals. The Netherlands then drew 1–1 with Brazil before losing the semifinal shootout.
A defeat by Croatia left the team fourth, but its possession and attacking combinations were among the competition's most memorable.
Argentina won all three group matches and eliminated England on penalties after a 2–2 draw. Gabriel Batistuta scored five goals across the tournament.
Bergkamp's control and finish in the final minute of the quarterfinal ended Argentina's campaign.
Explore Argentina World Cup teams →Michael Owen's individual goal gave England a 2–1 lead against Argentina in the round of 16. After David Beckham's red card, England defended through extra time but lost the shootout.
The match introduced Owen to a global audience and continued England's difficult penalty-shootout history.
Explore England World Cup teams →Thirty-two teams played in eight groups for the first time. France, Argentina and Romania won all three matches, while several debutants produced competitive campaigns.
France required a golden goal against Paraguay, Argentina eliminated England on penalties and Denmark scored four against Nigeria.
France beat Italy on penalties, Brazil defeated Denmark 3–2, Croatia eliminated Germany 3–0 and the Netherlands beat Argentina through Bergkamp's late goal.
Brazil defeated the Netherlands on penalties and France recovered to beat Croatia 2–1. France then won the final 3–0 at the Stade de France.
Zidane recovered from an early red card suspension and scored two headed goals in the final, becoming the creative symbol of France's first title.
Ronaldo scored four goals and won the Golden Ball after leading Brazil to the final at age 21.
Šuker scored six goals in seven matches and won the Golden Boot during Croatia's third-place debut campaign.
Thuram delivered a defining semifinal performance, scoring both goals as France recovered to defeat Croatia 2–1.
Bergkamp's first touch and finish against Argentina decided the quarterfinal and became one of the tournament's most replayed goals.
Batistuta scored five goals, including a hat-trick against Jamaica, and remained Argentina's main penalty-area threat.
The tournament had 16 participants. The current 7a0 data set contains 16 selected squads, each with real player names, shirt numbers, positions, ratings and legend markers.
The list above describes current game coverage, not the complete tournament field shown in the group section.
The edition remains part of World Cup history for several connected reasons:
Host France defeated Brazil 3–0 in the final and won its first World Cup title.
Croatia striker Davor Šuker scored six goals and won the Golden Boot.
It was the first edition with 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, a format retained through 2022.
France, Brazil, Croatia and the Netherlands reached the final four.
The synchronized game data contains sixteen selected national-team squads from the tournament.
Editorial review: 7a0.online
Last reviewed: 2026-07-25
Tournament facts are checked against the cited records. Game ratings, position eligibility and tactical descriptions remain independent 7a0 editorial values.
Compare the champion, finalist and breakthrough teams from France 1998, then combine their players with other tournament generations.
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