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1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was an international men’s football tournament held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was an international men’s football tournament held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France won their first World Cup title by defeating defending champions Brazil 3–0 in the final at the Stade de France. It was the first World Cup to feature 32 teams in the finals, establishing the modern tournament format.

Background and format

The 1998 edition was staged in France and used a 32-team finals format for the first time. Teams were divided into eight groups of four, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stage.

Tournament progression

France advanced through the knockout rounds to reach the final, while Brazil also reached the title match as defending champion. Croatia, Jamaica, Japan, and South Africa made their World Cup debuts in this tournament.

Final

France beat Brazil 3–0 in the final, with two goals from Zinedine Zidane and a late goal from Emmanuel Petit. The result gave France its first World Cup championship.

Awards and records

Davor Šuker finished as the top scorer with six goals, and France won the tournament on home soil. The competition recorded 171 goals in total.

Key facts

  • France defeated Brazil 3–0 in the final to win their first World Cup title.
  • The final was played on 12 July 1998 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
  • The tournament featured 32 teams and 64 matches.
  • Davor Šuker of Croatia won the Golden Boot with six goals.
  • Croatia finished third in its first World Cup appearance.
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Canadian context

The 1998 FIFA World Cup is relevant to Canadian readers as part of the global football tournament that Canada later helped qualify for through CONCACAF competition and that remains a major international sporting reference point.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup?
France won the tournament, defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final.
Where was the 1998 FIFA World Cup held?
It was held in France.
How many teams played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup?
32 teams competed in the finals.
Who was the top scorer in 1998?
Davor Šuker of Croatia was the top scorer with six goals.
Which teams reached the final?
France and Brazil reached the final.
Why is the 1998 tournament notable?
It was the first World Cup finals to use a 32-team format.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup
    Supports: Host country, dates, final result, France's first title, and the home-soil championship note.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37364021/1998
    Supports: Teams, qualifiers, match count, goals scored, format, and top scorer.
  3. FIFA — https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/1998france
    Supports: Tournament dates, champion, final context, and official competition overview.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_final
    Supports: Final match details and the path of the finalists.