France will embark on another FIFA World Cup journey this summer that could end with an appearance in a third consecutive final.
Les Blues lifted the trophy in 2018 before narrowly missing out on a repeat success four years ago. They will be eager to make amends in North America.
France are rated by Spreadex as one of the teams most likely to hit double figures in goals, which would boost their chances of going all the way.
They are the 9/2 favourites to lift the trophy, which is a fair reflection of their chances given their recent track record in the prestigious tournament.
Read on as we look at France’s previous record in the World Cup, before assessing their hopes of emerging victorious this summer.
France at the FIFA World Cup
| Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 1930 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 1934 | Round of 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1938 | Quarter-finals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 1950 | Withdrew | ||||||
| 1954 | Group stage | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 1958 | Third place | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 15 |
| 1962 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1966 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1974 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1978 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| 1982 | Fourth place | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 12 |
| 1986 | Third place | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1994 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1998 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| 2002 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 | Runners-up | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2014 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 |
| 2018 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 6 |
| 2022 | Runners-up | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 8 |
France eager to end the Deschamps era with a flourish
Cruelly described by Eric Cantona as a ‘water carrier’ during his playing career, Didier Deschamps has undoubtedly cemented a strong legacy with France.
Deschamps is one of just three men who have won the World Cup as a player and manager alongside Mario Zagallo (Brazil) and Franz Beckenbauer (Germany).
France were strangely underwhelming at the 2024 European Championship despite reaching the semi-final, scoring just three goals from open play.
They were far more prolific during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring 16 goals in six games to claim top spot in Group D ahead of Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan.
France recently recorded friendly victories over Brazil and Colombia to demonstrate that they are contenders to lift the trophy this summer.
Deschamps has a plethora of options at his disposal, most notably in attacking areas. These include Kylian Mbappe, who is one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot.
Mbappe finished as top scorer with eight goals at Qatar 2022, but ultimately finished with a runners-up medal after France were defeated on penalties by Argentina in the final.
Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola are amongst a star-studded supporting cast who could cause havoc this summer.
However, while France are worthy favourites to win the World Cup, it would be foolish to think that they will have things all their own way.
They have been drawn alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage, all of whom have the ability to cause problems.
Senegal will head to the World Cup with a point to prove after being controversially stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title earlier this year.
Their squad is packed with players with elite-level experience and it would be foolish to underestimate their chances of upsetting the odds against France.
Iraq are the so-called ‘weakest team’ in the group, but will be playing for pride this summer as political tensions rage back home.
If France slip up in either of their first two group games, the pressure on their final fixture against Norway would significantly increase.
The Scandinavians were superb during qualifying, winning all eight games to finish ahead of Italy, Israel, Estonia and Moldova.
Manchester City star Erling Braut Haaland was the star of the show, scoring 16 goals to enhance his reputation as one of the most lethal strikers on the planet.
With plenty of other talented players at their disposal, Norway are perfectly capable of upsetting the odds by finishing top of Group I.
France’s recent record at the World Cup undoubtedly makes them a team to be feared, yet there is a nagging suspicion that they could suffer a shock result or two this summer.