Hubbry Logo
1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World CupMain
Open search
1998 FIFA World Cup
Community hub
1998 FIFA World Cup
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

1998 FIFA World Cup
Coupe du Monde – France 98 (French)
Tournament details
Host countryFrance
Dates10 June – 12 July
Teams32 (from 5 confederations)
Venue10 (in 10 host cities)
Final positions
Champions France (1st title)
Runners-up Brazil
Third place Croatia
Fourth place Netherlands
Tournament statistics
Matches played64
Goals scored171 (2.67 per match)
Attendance2,785,100 (43,517 per match)
Top scorerCroatia Davor Šuker (6 goals)
Best playerBrazil Ronaldo
Best young playerEngland Michael Owen
Best goalkeeperFrance Fabien Barthez
Fair play award England
 France
← 1994
2002 →

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was the 16th FIFA World Cup, the football world championship for men's national teams. The finals tournament was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. The country was chosen as the host nation by FIFA for the second time in the history of the tournament (the first was in 1938), defeating Morocco in the bidding process. It was the ninth time that it was held in Europe. Spanning 32 days, it was the longest World Cup tournament ever held and with the most teams (32 teams in the competition finals) until 2026 (when the World Cup was expanded to 48 teams).

Qualification for the finals began in March 1996 and concluded in November 1997. For the first time in the competition, the group stage was expanded from 24 teams to 32, with eight groups of four. 64 matches were played in 10 stadiums in 10 host cities, with the opening match and final staged at the newly built Stade de France in the Parisian commune of Saint-Denis.

The tournament was won by host country France, who beat defending champions Brazil 3–0 in the final. France won their first title, becoming the seventh nation to win a World Cup, and the sixth (after Uruguay, Italy, England, West Germany and Argentina) to win the World Cup on home soil. As of 2026, they are the most recent team to win the tournament on home soil. Croatia, Jamaica, Japan and South Africa made their first appearances in the tournament.

Host selection

[edit]
Main article: FIFA World Cup hosts

France was awarded the 1998 World Cup on 2 July 1992 by the executive committee of FIFA during a general meeting in Zürich, Switzerland. They defeated Morocco by 12 votes to 7.[1][2] Switzerland withdrew, due to being unable to meet FIFA's requirements. This made France the third country to host two World Cups, after Mexico and Italy in 1986 and 1990 respectively. France previously hosted the third edition of the World Cup in 1938. England, who hosted the competition in 1966 and won it, were among the original applicants, but later withdrew their application in favour of an ultimately successful bid to host UEFA Euro 1996.

Voting results[3]
Country Round 1
France 12
Morocco 7

Bribery and corruption investigations

[edit]

On 4 June 2015, while co-operating with the FBI and the Swiss authorities, Chuck Blazer confirmed that he and other members of FIFA's executive committee were bribed during the 1998 and 2010 World Cups host selection process. Blazer stated that "we facilitated bribes in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup". Since France won the selection process it was initially thought the bribery came from its bid committee. It eventually transpired that the bribe payment was from the failed Moroccan bid.[4][5][6]

Qualification

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification

The qualification draw for the 1998 World Cup finals took place in the Musée du Louvre, Paris on 12 December 1995.[7] As tournament hosts, France was exempt from the draw as was defending champion Brazil, but it was also France's first World Cup since 1986. 174 teams from six confederations participated, 24 more than in the previous round. Fourteen countries qualified from the European zone (in addition to hosts France). Ten were determined after group play – nine group winners and the best second-placed team; the other eight group runners-up were drawn into pairs of four play-off matches with the winners qualifying for the finals as well.[8] CONMEBOL (South America) and CAF (Africa) were each given five spots in the final tournament, while three spots were contested between 30 CONCACAF members in the North and Central America and the Caribbean zone. The winner of the Oceanian zone advanced to an intercontinental play-off against the runner-up of the Asian play-off, determined by the two best second-placed teams.

Four nations qualified for the first time: Croatia, Jamaica, Japan and South Africa. The last team to qualify was Iran by virtue of beating Australia in a two-legged tie on 29 November 1997.[9] It marked their first appearance in the finals since 1978, Chile qualified for the first time since 1982, after serving a ban that saw them miss out on the two previous tournaments. Paraguay and Denmark returned for the first time since 1986. Austria, England, Scotland and Yugoslavia returned after missing out on the 1994 tournament, with the Balkan team now appearing under the name of FR Yugoslavia. Among the teams who failed to qualify were two-time winners Uruguay (for the second successive tournament); Portugal (for the third successive tournament); Sweden, who finished third in 1994; Russia (who failed to qualify for the first time since 1978 after losing to Italy in the play-off round); and the Republic of Ireland, who had qualified for the previous two tournaments.[10] The highest-ranked team not to qualify was the UEFA Euro 1996 runners-up the Czech Republic (ranked 3rd), while the lowest-ranked team that did qualify was Nigeria (ranked 74th).

As of 2022, this was the last time Austria, Bulgaria, Norway, Romania and Scotland qualified for a FIFA World Cup finals, and the only time Jamaica have qualified, and the last time Portugal failed to qualify.

List of qualified teams

[edit]
See also: 1998 FIFA World Cup seeding

The following 32 teams, shown with final pre-tournament rankings,[11] qualified for the final tournament.

Venues

[edit]

France's bid to host the World Cup centered on a national stadium with 80,000 seats and nine other stadiums located across the country.[12] When the finals were originally awarded in July 1992, none of the regional club grounds were of a capacity meeting FIFA's requirements – namely being able to safely seat 40,000.[12] The proposed national stadium, colloquially referred to as the 'Grand stade', met with controversy at every stage of planning; the stadium's location was determined by politics, finance and national symbolism,[13] as Mayor of Paris Jacques Chirac successfully negotiated a deal with Prime Minister Édouard Balladur to bring the Stade de France, as it was now called, to the commune of Saint-Denis just north of the capital city.[13] Construction on the stadium started in December 1995 and was completed after 26 months of work in November 1997 at a cost of ₣2.67 billion.[14]

The choice of stadium locations was drafted from an original list of 14 cities.[15] FIFA and CFO monitored the progress and quality of preparations, culminating in the former providing final checks of the grounds weeks before the tournament commenced. Montpellier was the surprise inclusion from the final list of cities because of its low urban hierarchy in comparison to Strasbourg, who boasted a better hierarchy and success from its local football team, having been taken over by a consortium. Montpellier however was considered ambitious by the selecting panel to host World Cup matches. The local city and regional authorities in particular had invested heavily into football the previous two decades and were able to measure economic effects, in terms of jobs as early as in 1997.[16] Some of the venues used for this tournament were also used for the previous World Cup in France in 1938. The Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the Stade Municipal in Toulouse, the Parc Lescure in Bordeaux and the Parc des Princes in Paris received the honour of hosting World Cup matches once again in 1998 as they had all done in 1938; on the other hand, in addition to Strasbourg, four other cities which hosted games in 1938 were not selected: Le Havre, Lille, Reims and Antibes.

10 stadiums were used for the finals; in addition to nine matches being played at the Stade de France (the most used stadium in the tournament), a further six matches took place in Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes, bringing Paris's total matches hosted to 15. France played four of their seven matches in the national stadium; they also played in the country's second and third largest cities, Marseille (hosting 7 total matches) and Lyon (hosting 6 total matches), as well as a Round of 16 knockout match in the northern city of Lens (also hosting 6 total matches). Nantes, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Montpellier and Saint-Etienne also hosted 6 matches in total; all of the stadiums used also hosted knockout round matches.

Paris (Saint-Denis) Marseille Paris Lyon
Stade de France Stade Vélodrome Parc des Princes Stade de Gerland
48°55′28″N 2°21′36″E / 48.92444°N 2.36000°E / 48.92444; 2.36000 (Stade de France) 43°16′11″N 5°23′45″E / 43.26972°N 5.39583°E / 43.26972; 5.39583 (Stade Vélodrome) 48°50′29″N 2°15′11″E / 48.84139°N 2.25306°E / 48.84139; 2.25306 (Parc des Princes) 45°43′26″N 4°49′56″E / 45.72389°N 4.83222°E / 45.72389; 4.83222 (Stade de Gerland)
Capacity: 80,000 Capacity: 60,000 Capacity: 48,875 Capacity: 44,000
Lens
Stade Félix-Bollaert
50°25′58.26″N 2°48′53.47″E / 50.4328500°N 2.8148528°E / 50.4328500; 2.8148528 (Stade Félix-Bollaert)
Capacity: 41,300
Nantes
Stade de la Beaujoire
47°15′20.27″N 1°31′31.35″W / 47.2556306°N 1.5253750°W / 47.2556306; -1.5253750 (Stade de la Beaujoire)
Capacity: 39,500
Toulouse Saint-Étienne Bordeaux Montpellier
Stadium de Toulouse Stade Geoffroy-Guichard Parc Lescure Stade de la Mosson
43°34′59.93″N 1°26′2.57″E / 43.5833139°N 1.4340472°E / 43.5833139; 1.4340472 (Stadium de Toulouse) 45°27′38.76″N 4°23′24.42″E / 45.4607667°N 4.3901167°E / 45.4607667; 4.3901167 (Stade Geoffroy-Guichard) 44°49′45″N 0°35′52″W / 44.82917°N 0.59778°W / 44.82917; -0.59778 (Parc Lescure) 43°37′19.85″N 3°48′43.28″E / 43.6221806°N 3.8120222°E / 43.6221806; 3.8120222 (Stade de la Mosson)
Capacity: 37,000 Capacity: 36,000 Capacity: 35,200 Capacity: 34,000

Innovations

[edit]

Technologies

[edit]

This was the first FIFA World Cup where fourth officials used electronic boards, instead of cardboard.[17]

Rule changes

[edit]

This was the first World Cup since the introduction of golden goals,[17] banning of tackles from behind that endanger the safety of an opponent[18] and allowance of three substitutions per game.[19]

Match officials

[edit]

34 referees and 33 assistants officiated in the 1998 World Cup.[20] As a result of the extension to 32 teams in the finals, there was an increase of 10 referees and 11 officials from the 1994 World Cup.[20]

CAF (5)
AFC (4)
UEFA (15)
CONCACAF (3)
OFC (1)
CONMEBOL (6)

Draw

[edit]

Further information: 1998 FIFA World Cup seeding

The FIFA Organising Committee announced the eight seeded teams on 3 December 1997 at Marseille's Stade Vélodrome. The draw was conducted by at the time FIFA general secretary Joseph Blatter and many celebrities helped with the draw such as former players as Franz Beckenbauer, George Weah, Jean-Pierre Papin, Raymond Kopa, Georges Carnus and women's football player Mia Hamm.

The historic tradition to seed the hosts (France) and holders (Brazil) was upheld; while the remaining six seeds were granted for the other top7-ranked teams, based on their results obtained in the last three FIFA World Cups (ratio 3:2:1, counting in total 60%) and their FIFA World Ranking position in the last month of the past three years (equal ratio, counting in total 40%).[21][22]

For the draw, the 32 teams were allocated into four pots. The eight top-seeded teams were allocated in pot A and would be drawn/selected into the first position of the eight groups playing in the group stage. The remaining 24 unseeded teams were allocated into three pots based on geographical sections, with the: Nine European teams in pot B; four Asian teams and three South American teams in pot C; five African teams and three North American teams in pot D.[23]

The general principle was to draw one team from each pot into the eight groups, although with special combined procedures for pot B and pot C, due to comprising more/less than eight teams - but sixteen teams in total. At the same time, the draw also needed to respect the geographical limitation, that each group could not feature more than one team from each confederation, except for the European teams where the limitation was maximum two per group.[23]

Pot A
Top-seeded teams
(DC + Host + Top7 seeds) 		Pot B
Europe
(UEFA) 		Pot C
Asia & South America
(AFC & CONMEBOL) 		Pot D
Africa & North America
(CAF & CONCACAF)

For the first time in history, the draw event took place in a football stadium, with 38,000 spectators and an estimated 1 billion TV viewers. The draw was officiated by FIFA secretary general Sepp Blatter. Teams were drawn by football legends Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto Parreira, George Weah and Raymond Kopa.[24]

Organiser Michel Platini, who later became president of UEFA, admitted in 2018 that the draw for the group stage of the competition had been fixed so that France and Brazil were kept apart until the final, telling France Bleu Sport: "We did a bit of trickery. When we were organising the schedule. We did not spend six years organising the World Cup to not do some little shenanigans".[25]

The statement from Platini referred to the fact that, shortly before the World Cup finals draw took place, the FIFA Organising Committee had met to finalise the draw process. At this meeting, the committee had approved the proposal to assign host nation France to group position C1 and defending champions Brazil to group position A1 ahead of the draw. As the tournament structure was also predetermined so that the winners of Groups A, D, E and H, and the runners-up of Groups B, C, F and G would be kept apart from the group winners of B, C, F and G, and the runners-up of Group A, D, E and H until the final; thus, France and Brazil could avoid meeting each other until the final if both teams finished in the same position in the top two of their respective groups.[26]

Procedure for the draw:[23]

  1. Pot A was used to draw the remaining six top-seeded teams for the first position of groups B, D, E, F, G and H.
  2. Pot D was used to draw one team to each of the eight groups (drawing in the alphabetic order from A to H).
  3. Pot B was used to draw one team to each of the eight groups (drawing in the alphabetic order from A to H).
  4. As per the FIFA rule of only allowing a maximum of two UEFA teams in each group, the remaining ninth team from Pot B, was subject to a second draw, to be put in either of the groups containing a top-seeded South American (CONMEBOL) team.
  5. Pot C was used to draw one team to each of the seven groups with an empty spot (drawing in alphabetical order from A to H). However, as each group could only contain one South American (CONMEBOL) team, the first Asian (AFC) team drawn would not be drawn into a group in alphabetical order, but instead be drawn into the remaining open group with a top-seeded South American (CONMEBOL) team.
  6. To decide the match schedules, the exact group position number for the un-seeded teams in each group (2, 3 or 4), were also drawn immediately from eight special group bowls, after each respective team had been drawn from pot D, B and C.

Draw results and group fixtures

[edit]

The draw resulted in the following eight groups:[23]

In each group, the teams played three matches, one against each of the other teams. Three points were awarded for each win, while a draw was worth one point. After completion of the group stage, the two teams with the most points in each group would advance to the knockout stage, with each group winner facing the runner-up from one of the other groups in the round of 16. This was a new format for the World Cup, following the expansion from 24 teams in 1994. A total of 64 games were played, including the final and a third-place play-off between the losers of the two semi-finals.

The fixtures for the group stage were decided based on the draw results, as follows:

Group stage schedule
Matchday Dates Matches
Matchday 1 10–15 June 1998 1 v 2, 3 v 4
Matchday 2 16–22 June 1998 1 v 3, 2 v 4
Matchday 3 23–26 June 1998 4 v 1, 2 v 3

Squads

[edit]
Further information: 1998 FIFA World Cup squads

As with the preceding tournament, each team's squad for the 1998 World Cup finals consisted of 22 players. Each participating national association had to confirm their final 22-player squad by 1 June 1998.

Out of the 704 players participating in the 1998 World Cup, 447 were signed up with a European club; 90 in Asia, 67 in South America, 61 in Northern and Central America and 37 in Africa.[27] 75 played their club football in England – five more than Italy and Spain. Barcelona of Spain was the club contributing to the most players in the tournament with 13 players on their side.[27]

The average age of all teams was 27 years, 8 months – five months older than the previous tournament.[28] Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon was the youngest player selected in the competition at 17 years, 3 months, while the oldest was Jim Leighton of Scotland at 39 years, 11 months.[28]

Group stage

[edit]

All times are Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)

Group A

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group A

Defending champions Brazil won Group A after only two matches as the nation achieved victories over Scotland (2–1) and Morocco (3–0). Heading into the third game, Brazil had nothing to play for but still started its regulars against Norway, who was looking to upset Brazil once again. Needing a victory, Norway overturned a 1–0 deficit with 7 minutes remaining to defeat Brazil 2–1, with Kjetil Rekdal scoring[29] the winning penalty to send Norway into the knockout stage for the first time.[30]

Norway's victory denied Morocco a chance at the Round of 16, despite winning 3–0 against Scotland. It was only Morocco's second ever victory at a World Cup, having recorded its first previous win 12 years earlier on 11 June 1986.

Scotland managed only one point, coming in a 1–1 draw against Norway, and failed to get out of the first round for an eighth time in the FIFA World Cup, a record that stands to this date.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Brazil 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Norway 3 1 2 0 5 4 +1 5
3  Morocco 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
4  Scotland 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 1
Source: FIFA
Brazil 2–1 Scotland
César Sampaio 5'
Boyd 74' (o.g.)		 Report Collins 38' (pen.)
Attendance: 80,000
Morocco 2–2 Norway
Hadji 37'
Hadda 60'		 Report Chippo 45+1' (o.g.)
Eggen 61'
Attendance: 29,800
Scotland 1–1 Norway
Burley 66' Report H. Flo 46'
Attendance: 31,800
Brazil 3–0 Morocco
Ronaldo 9'
Rivaldo 45+2'
Bebeto 50'		 Report
Attendance: 35,500
Scotland 0–3 Morocco
Report Bassir 23', 85'
Hadda 46'
Attendance: 30,600
Brazil 1–2 Norway
Bebeto 78' Report T. A. Flo 83'
Rekdal 89' (pen.)
Attendance: 55,000

Group B

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group B

Italy and Chile progressed to the second round, while Austria failed to win for the first time since 1958 and Cameroon failed to get out of the group stage for the second time in a row.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Italy 3 2 1 0 7 3 +4 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Chile 3 0 3 0 4 4 0 3
3  Austria 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
4  Cameroon 3 0 2 1 2 5 −3 2
Source: FIFA
Italy 2–2 Chile
Vieri 10'
R. Baggio 84' (pen.)		 Report Salas 45+3', 50'
Attendance: 31,800
Cameroon 1–1 Austria
Njanka 77' Report Polster 90+1'
Attendance: 33,500
Chile 1–1 Austria
Salas 70' Report Vastić 90+2'
Attendance: 30,600
Italy 3–0 Cameroon
Di Biagio 7'
Vieri 75', 89'		 Report
Attendance: 29,800
Italy 2–1 Austria
Vieri 48'
R. Baggio 90'		 Report Herzog 90+2' (pen.)
Attendance: 80,000
Referee: Paul Durkin (England)
Chile 1–1 Cameroon
Sierra 20' Report Mboma 56'
Attendance: 35,500

Group C

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group C

France, the host nation, swept Group C when the start of their path to their first FIFA World Cup trophy culminated with their 2–1 win over Denmark, who despite their loss, progressed to the second round. Saudi Arabia, after a good performance four years earlier, finished bottom with only one point. Debutant South Africa grabbed two points and also exited at the group stage.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  France (H) 3 3 0 0 9 1 +8 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Denmark 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
3  South Africa 3 0 2 1 3 6 −3 2
4  Saudi Arabia 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
Source: FIFA
(H) Hosts
Saudi Arabia 0–1 Denmark
Report Rieper 69'
Attendance: 38,100
France 3–0 South Africa
Dugarry 36'
Issa 77' (o.g.)
Henry 90+2'		 Report
Attendance: 55,000
South Africa 1–1 Denmark
McCarthy 51' Report A. Nielsen 12'
Attendance: 33,500
France 4–0 Saudi Arabia
Henry 37', 78'
Trezeguet 68'
Lizarazu 85'		 Report
Attendance: 80,000
France 2–1 Denmark
Djorkaeff 12' (pen.)
Petit 56'		 Report M. Laudrup 42' (pen.)
Attendance: 39,100
South Africa 2–2 Saudi Arabia
Bartlett 18', 90+3' (pen.) Report Al-Jaber 45+2' (pen.)
Al-Thunayan 74' (pen.)
Attendance: 31,800

Group D

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group D

Nigeria and Paraguay advanced to the Round of 16 after a surprise elimination of top seed Spain, while Bulgaria failed to repeat their surprise performance from the previous tournament.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Nigeria 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Paraguay 3 1 2 0 3 1 +2 5
3  Spain 3 1 1 1 8 4 +4 4
4  Bulgaria 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1
Source: FIFA
Paraguay 0–0 Bulgaria
Report
Attendance: 29,800
Spain 2–3 Nigeria
Hierro 21'
Raúl 47'		 Report Adepoju 24'
Zubizarreta 73' (o.g.)
Oliseh 78'
Attendance: 35,500
Nigeria 1–0 Bulgaria
Ikpeba 28' Report
Attendance: 45,500
Spain 0–0 Paraguay
Report
Attendance: 30,600
Nigeria 1–3 Paraguay
Oruma 11' Report Ayala 1'
Benítez 58'
Cardozo 86'
Attendance: 33,500
Spain 6–1 Bulgaria
Hierro 6' (pen.)
Luis Enrique 18'
Morientes 55', 81'
Bachev 88' (o.g.)
Kiko 90+4'		 Report Kostadinov 58'
Attendance: 38,100

Group E

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group E

The Netherlands and Mexico advanced with the same record, with the former placing first on goal difference. Belgium and eventual 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosts South Korea failed to advance, although Belgium were undefeated with three draws.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Netherlands 3 1 2 0 7 2 +5 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  Mexico 3 1 2 0 7 5 +2 5
3  Belgium 3 0 3 0 3 3 0 3
4  South Korea 3 0 1 2 2 9 −7 1
Source: FIFA
South Korea 1–3 Mexico
Ha Seok-ju 27' Report Peláez 50'
Hernández 75', 84'
Attendance: 39,100
Netherlands 0–0 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 77,000
Belgium 2–2 Mexico
Wilmots 42', 47' Report García Aspe 55' (pen.)
Blanco 62'
Attendance: 31,800
Netherlands 5–0 South Korea
Cocu 37'
Overmars 41'
Bergkamp 71'
Van Hooijdonk 80'
R. de Boer 83'		 Report
Attendance: 55,000
Netherlands 2–2 Mexico
Cocu 4'
R. de Boer 18'		 Report Peláez 75'
Hernández 90+4'
Attendance: 30,600
Belgium 1–1 South Korea
Nilis 7' Report Yoo Sang-chul 72'
Attendance: 45,500

Group F

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group F

Germany and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia advanced, each with 7 points (Germany took 1st on goal difference). Iran and 1994 host United States failed to advance.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Germany 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  FR Yugoslavia 3 2 1 0 4 2 +2 7
3  Iran 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
4  United States 3 0 0 3 1 5 −4 0
Source: FIFA
FR Yugoslavia 1–0 Iran
Mihajlović 73' Report
Attendance: 30,600
Referee: Alberto Tejada (Peru)
Germany 2–0 United States
Möller 9'
Klinsmann 65'		 Report
Attendance: 45,500
Germany 2–2 FR Yugoslavia
Mihajlović 72' (o.g.)
Bierhoff 78'		 Report Mijatović 13'
Stojković 52'
Attendance: 38,100
Main article: United States v Iran (1998 FIFA World Cup)
United States 1–2 Iran
McBride 87' Report Estili 40'
Mahdavikia 84'
Attendance: 39,100
Germany 2–0 Iran
Bierhoff 50'
Klinsmann 57'		 Report
Attendance: 29,800
United States 0–1 FR Yugoslavia
Report Komljenović 4'
Attendance: 35,500

Group G

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group G

Romania topped the group over England, while Colombia and Tunisia were unable to reach the last 16, despite Colombia having one win.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Romania 3 2 1 0 4 2 +2 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  England 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 6
3  Colombia 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 3
4  Tunisia 3 0 1 2 1 4 −3 1
Source: FIFA
England 2–0 Tunisia
Shearer 42'
Scholes 89'		 Report
Attendance: 54,587
Romania 1–0 Colombia
Ilie 45+1' Report
Attendance: 39,100
Colombia 1–0 Tunisia
Preciado 83' Report
Attendance: 29,800
Romania 2–1 England
Moldovan 46'
Petrescu 90'		 Report Owen 81'
Attendance: 33,500
Referee: Marc Batta (France)
Colombia 0–2 England
Report Anderton 20'
Beckham 29'
Attendance: 38,100
Romania 1–1 Tunisia
Moldovan 71' Report Souayah 12' (pen.)
Attendance: 77,000

Group H

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup Group H

Argentina finished at the top of Group H against three debutants. Croatia took the runners-up spot while Jamaica and Japan failed to advance.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Argentina 3 3 0 0 7 0 +7 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Croatia 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 6
3  Jamaica 3 1 0 2 3 9 −6 3
4  Japan 3 0 0 3 1 4 −3 0
Source: FIFA
Argentina 1–0 Japan
Batistuta 28' Report
Attendance: 33,500
Jamaica 1–3 Croatia
Earle 45' Report Stanić 27'
Prosinečki 53'
Šuker 69'
Attendance: 38,100
Japan 0–1 Croatia
Report Šuker 77'
Attendance: 35,500
Argentina 5–0 Jamaica
Ortega 32', 55'
Batistuta 73', 78', 83' (pen.)		 Report
Attendance: 45,500
Argentina 1–0 Croatia
Pineda 36' Report
Attendance: 31,800
Japan 1–2 Jamaica
Nakayama 74' Report Whitmore 39', 54'
Attendance: 39,100

Knockout stage

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup knockout stage

The knockout stage comprised the 16 teams that advanced from the group stage of the tournament. For each game in the knockout stage, any draw at 90 minutes was followed by 30 minutes of extra time; if scores were still level, there was a penalty shoot-out to determine who progressed to the next round. The Golden goal rule was also used, whereby if a team scored during extra time, they would immediately win the game.

Bracket

[edit]

The first games were played on 27 June 1998, and the final took place on 12 July 1998 in Paris.

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
27 June – Paris
 
 
 Brazil4
 
3 July – Nantes
 
 Chile1
 
 Brazil3
 
28 June – Saint-Denis
 
 Denmark2
 
 Nigeria1
 
7 July – Marseille
 
 Denmark4
 
 Brazil (p)1 (4)
 
29 June – Toulouse
 
 Netherlands1 (2)
 
 Netherlands2
 
4 July – Marseille
 
 FR Yugoslavia1
 
 Netherlands2
 
30 June – Saint-Étienne
 
 Argentina1
 
 Argentina (p)2 (4)
 
12 July – Saint-Denis
 
 England2 (3)
 
 Brazil0
 
27 June – Marseille
 
 France3
 
 Italy1
 
3 July – Saint-Denis
 
 Norway0
 
 Italy0 (3)
 
28 June – Lens
 
 France (p)0 (4)
 
 France (a.s.d.e.t.)1
 
8 July – Saint-Denis
 
 Paraguay0
 
 France2
 
29 June – Montpellier
 
 Croatia1 Third place play-off
 
 Germany2
 
4 July – Lyon11 July – Paris
 
 Mexico1
 
 Germany0 Netherlands1
 
30 June – Bordeaux
 
 Croatia3  Croatia2
 
 Romania0
 
 
 Croatia1
 

Round of 16

[edit]
Italy 1–0 Norway
Vieri 18' Report
Attendance: 55,000
Brazil 4–1 Chile
Sampaio 11', 26'
Ronaldo 45+3' (pen.), 72'		 Report Salas 70'
Attendance: 45,500
Referee: Marc Batta (France)
France 1–0 (a.e.t./g.g.) Paraguay
Blanc gold-colored soccer ball 114' Report
Attendance: 31,800
Nigeria 1–4 Denmark
Babangida 77' Report Møller 3'
B. Laudrup 12'
Sand 58'
Helveg 76'
Attendance: 77,000
Germany 2–1 Mexico
Klinsmann 74'
Bierhoff 86'		 Report Hernández 47'
Attendance: 29,800
Netherlands 2–1 FR Yugoslavia
Bergkamp 38'
Davids 90+2'		 Report Komljenović 48'
Attendance: 33,500
Romania 0–1 Croatia
Report Šuker 45+2' (pen.)
Attendance: 31,800
Argentina 2–2 (a.e.t.) England
Batistuta 5' (pen.)
Zanetti 45+1'		 Report Shearer 9' (pen.)
Owen 16'
Penalties
Berti soccer ball with check mark
Crespo soccer ball with red X
Verón soccer ball with check mark
Gallardo soccer ball with check mark
Ayala soccer ball with check mark		 4–3 soccer ball with check mark Shearer
soccer ball with red X Ince
soccer ball with check mark Merson
soccer ball with check mark Owen
soccer ball with red X Batty
Attendance: 30,600

Quarter-finals

[edit]
Italy 0–0 (a.e.t.) France
Report
Penalties
R. Baggio soccer ball with check mark
Albertini soccer ball with red X
Costacurta soccer ball with check mark
Vieri soccer ball with check mark
Di Biagio soccer ball with red X		 3–4 soccer ball with check mark Zidane
soccer ball with red X Lizarazu
soccer ball with check mark Trezeguet
soccer ball with check mark Henry
soccer ball with check mark Blanc
Attendance: 77,000
Brazil 3–2 Denmark
Bebeto 10'
Rivaldo 25', 59'		 Report M. Jørgensen 2'
B. Laudrup 50'
Attendance: 35,500
Netherlands 2–1 Argentina
Kluivert 12'
Bergkamp 90'		 Report López 17'
Attendance: 55,000
Germany 0–3 Croatia
Report Jarni 45+3'
Vlaović 80'
Šuker 85'
Attendance: 39,100

Semi-finals

[edit]
Brazil 1–1 (a.e.t.) Netherlands
Ronaldo 46' Report Kluivert 87'
Penalties
Ronaldo soccer ball with check mark
Rivaldo soccer ball with check mark
Emerson soccer ball with check mark
Dunga soccer ball with check mark		 4–2 soccer ball with check mark F. de Boer
soccer ball with check mark Bergkamp
soccer ball with red X Cocu
soccer ball with red X R. de Boer
Attendance: 54,000
France 2–1 Croatia
Thuram 47', 70' Report Šuker 46'
Attendance: 76,000

Third place play-off

[edit]

Croatia beat the Netherlands to earn third place in the competition. Davor Šuker scored the winner in the 36th minute to secure the golden boot.[31]

Netherlands 1–2 Croatia
Zenden 22' Report Prosinečki 14'
Šuker 36'
Attendance: 45,500

Final

[edit]
Main article: 1998 FIFA World Cup final

The final was held on 12 July 1998 at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis. France defeated holders Brazil 3–0, with two goals from Zinedine Zidane and a stoppage time strike from Emmanuel Petit. The win gave France their first World Cup title, becoming the sixth national team after Uruguay, Italy, England, West Germany and Argentina to win the tournament on their home soil. They also inflicted the second-heaviest World Cup defeat on Brazil,[32] later to be topped by Brazil's 7–1 defeat by Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[33]

The pre-match build up was dominated by the omission of Brazilian striker Ronaldo from the starting lineup only to be reinstated 45 minutes before kick-off.[34] He managed to create the first open chance for Brazil in the 22nd minute, dribbling past defender Thuram before sending a cross out on the left side that goalkeeper Fabien Barthez struggled to hold onto. France however took the lead after Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos conceded a corner from which Zidane scored via a header. Three minutes before half-time, Zidane scored his second goal of the match, similarly another header from a corner. The tournament hosts went down to ten men in the 68th minute as Marcel Desailly was sent off for a second bookable offence. Brazil reacted to this by making an attacking substitution and although they applied pressure France sealed the win with a third goal: substitute Patrick Vieira set up his club teammate Petit in a counterattack to shoot low past goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel.[35]

French president Jacques Chirac was in attendance to congratulate the winners and commiserate the runners-up after the match.[36] Several days after the victory, winning manager Aimé Jacquet announced his resignation from the French team with immediate effect.[37][38]

Brazil 0–3 France
Report Zidane 27', 45+1'
Petit 90+3'
Attendance: 75,000

Statistics

[edit]

Goalscorers

[edit]

Davor Šuker received the Golden Boot for scoring six goals. In total, 171 goals were scored by 112 players:

6 goals
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Own goals

Awards

[edit]
Golden Ball Award Golden Shoe Award Yashin Award FIFA Fair Play Trophy Most Entertaining Team
Brazil Ronaldo Croatia Davor Šuker France Fabien Barthez  England
 France 		 France

Players who were red-carded during the tournament

[edit]

All-star team

[edit]

The All-star team is a squad consisting of the 16 most impressive players at the 1998 World Cup, as selected by FIFA's Technical Study Group.[39]

Goalkeepers Defenders Midfielders Forwards

France Fabien Barthez
Paraguay José Luis Chilavert

Brazil Roberto Carlos
France Marcel Desailly
France Lilian Thuram
Netherlands Frank de Boer
Paraguay Carlos Gamarra

Brazil Dunga
Brazil Rivaldo
Denmark Michael Laudrup
France Zinedine Zidane
Netherlands Edgar Davids

Brazil Ronaldo
Croatia Davor Šuker
Denmark Brian Laudrup
Netherlands Dennis Bergkamp

Final standings

[edit]

After the tournament, FIFA published a ranking of all teams that competed in the 1998 World Cup finals based on progress in the competition and overall results.[40]

R Team G P W D L GF GA GD Pts.
1  France C 7 6 1 0 15 2 +13 19
2  Brazil A 7 4 1 2 14 10 +4 13
3  Croatia H 7 5 0 2 11 5 +6 15
4  Netherlands E 7 3 3 1 13 7 +6 12
Eliminated in the quarter-finals
5  Italy B 5 3 2 0 8 3 +5 11
6  Argentina H 5 3 1 1 10 4 +6 10
7  Germany F 5 3 1 1 8 6 +2 10
8  Denmark C 5 2 1 2 9 7 +2 7
Eliminated in the round of 16
9  England G 4 2 1 1 7 4 +3 7
10  FR Yugoslavia F 4 2 1 1 5 4 +1 7
11  Romania G 4 2 1 1 4 3 +1 7
12  Nigeria D 4 2 0 2 6 9 −3 6
13  Mexico E 4 1 2 1 8 7 +1 5
14  Paraguay D 4 1 2 1 3 2 +1 5
15  Norway A 4 1 2 1 5 5 0 5
16  Chile B 4 0 3 1 5 8 −3 3
Eliminated in the group stage
17  Spain D 3 1 1 1 8 4 +4 4
18  Morocco A 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
19  Belgium E 3 0 3 0 3 3 0 3
20  Iran F 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
21  Colombia G 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 3
22  Jamaica H 3 1 0 2 3 9 −6 3
23  Austria B 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
24  South Africa C 3 0 2 1 3 6 −3 2
25  Cameroon B 3 0 2 1 2 5 −3 2
26  Tunisia G 3 0 1 2 1 4 −3 1
27  Scotland A 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 1
28  Saudi Arabia C 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
29  Bulgaria D 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1
30  South Korea E 3 0 1 2 2 9 −7 1
31  Japan H 3 0 0 3 1 4 −3 0
32  United States F 3 0 0 3 1 5 −4 0

Marketing

[edit]

Tournoi de France

[edit]
Main article: 1997 Tournoi de France

A year before the tournament, a small, invitation-only tournament named the Tournoi de France was held in France, with Italy, Brazil, England, and hosts France participating.[41]

Broadcasting

[edit]

Through several companies, FIFA sold the broadcasting rights for the 1998 FIFA World Cup to many broadcasters. BBC and ITV had the broadcasting rights in the United Kingdom. The pictures and audio of the competition were supplied to the TV and radio channels by the company TVRS 98, the broadcaster of the tournament.[42]

The World Cup matches were broadcast in 200 countries. 818 photographers were credited for the tournament. In every match, a stand was reserved for the press. The number of places granted to them reached its maximum in the final, when 1,750 reporters and 110 TV commentators were present in the stand.[43]

Country Broadcaster Television
Albania TVSH
Argentina Artear, Televisión Federal, Grupo América, Telearte, SNMP, Teletreinta, Argentina Televisión, Lujan Cable Visión S.A., Holding Córdoba de radio y televisión Eltrece, Telefe, América TV, Channel 30, Argenvisión, Channel 23, El CW
Australia SBS
Austria ORF ORF eins and ORF 2
Arab League Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Orbit Network Orbit ESPN
Belgium Dutch:
VRT 		Dutch:
Eén and Canvas
French:
RTBF 		French:
La Une and La Deux
Bangladesh BTV
Bolivia TVB, Bolivisión, Unitel and Unovisión
Brazil Globo, SBT, RecordTV, Manchete,[44] SporTV and ESPN Brasil
Brunei RTB RTB Perdana, RTB Aneka
Bulgaria BNT Channel 1 and Efir 2
Cambodia TVK Channel 7
Canada English:
CBC 		English:
CBC Television
French:
Société Radio-Canada 		French:
Télévision de Radio-Canada
Chile TVN, Chilevisión, UCTV and Megavisión
China CCTV CCTV-1
Colombia Inravisión Canal Uno:
PUNCH and JES
Canal A:
RTI and Datos y Mensajes
Caracol Televisión and RCN Televisión
Corsica2 France TF1, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV2
Italy RAI 		France TF1, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV2 and 1998 FIFA World Cup TV32
Czech Republic Czech Television ČT1 and ČT2
Denmark DR DR1 and DR2
Estonia ETV
Finland YLE, MTV3 YLE TV2
France2 TF1, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV2 TF1, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV2, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV3, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV4, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV International and 1998 FIFA World Cup TV News2
Georgia GPB 1TV
Germany ARD and ZDF Das Erste and ZDF
Greece ERT ET1, NET and ET3
Hungary MTV MTV1 and MTV2
Holy See Italy RAI Italy RAI 1, RAI 2 and RAI 3
Hong Kong TVB Cantonese:
TVB Jade
English:
TVB Pearl
India Doordarshan Doordarshan National Channel
Indonesia1 TVRI (Programme 1), RCTI, SCTV, TPI, ANteve, and Indosiar (all matches in live television)1
Iran IRIB Channel 1 and Channel 2
Ireland RTÉ RTÉ One and RTÉ Two
Israel IBA Hebrew:
Channel 1
Arabic:
Channel 33
Italy RAI RAI 1, RAI 2 and RAI 3
Japan NHK, Fuji Television, TBS, Nippon Television, TV Asahi and TV Tokyo NHK General TV, Fuji Television, TBS Television, Nippon Television, TV Asahi and TV Tokyo
Laos LNTV
Macau TVB Cantonese:
TVB Jade
English:
TVB Pearl
Latin America Bein TV, DirecTV Channels 530 and 532 of Bein TV
Channels 610 and 612 of DirecTV
Malaysia2 RTM, STMB, NTV7 TV1, TV2, TV3, NTV7
Mexico Televisa, TV Azteca Canal de las Estrellas, XHDF-TDT
Monaco2 France TF1, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV2
Italy Telemontecarlo 		France TF1, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV2, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV3, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV4, 1998 FIFA World Cup TV International and 1998 FIFA World Cup TV News (all matches of international broadcast signal)2
Italy Telemontecarlo
Myanmar MRTV Channel 5
Netherlands NPO Nederland 1, Nederland 2 and Nederland 3
New Zealand TVNZ TV1 and TV2
Norway NRK NRK1 and NRK2
Paraguay TV Acción, TV Cerro Corá, Tevedos, Teledifusora Paraguaya, SICOM TV, Hispanoamérica TV, Canal 5 TV Color, Caacupé Cable Visión S.A., Holding Paraná de radio y televisión Telefuturo, SNT, Red Guaraní Canal 13, Paraguay TV, La Tele, Paravisión, Canal 25, RTV
Peru América Televisión and Panamericana Televisión.
Philippines GMA Network and Sky Cable
Poland TVP TVP1 and TVP2
Portugal RTP RTP1 and RTP2
Russia VGTRK, ORT Rossiya 1, Channel One Russia
San Marino Italy RAI Italy RAI 1, RAI 2 and RAI 3
Singapore Singapore International Media Premiere 12
Slovakia STV STV1 and STV2
South Africa SABC SABC 1, SABC 2 and SABC 3
South Korea KBS
Spain RTVE TVE (TV1 and TV2)
Sweden SVT SVT1 and SVT2
 Switzerland SRG SSR SF 1 (German), TSR 2 (French) and TSI 2 (Italian)
Taiwan TTV, CTV, CTS and FTV
Thailand Television Pool of Thailand
Turkey TRT TRT 1, TRT 2 and TRT 3
United Kingdom BBC and ITV BBC One and ITV3
United States ABC, ESPN (English) and Univision (Spanish)
Ukraine UT-1 and 1+1
Uruguay Tevetres, Monte Carlo Televisión, Sociedad Anónima Emisora de Televisión y Anexos, Sociedad Televisora Larrañaga, SODRE, Franco-Hispano TV, Canal 8 TV Color, Canelones Cable Visión S.A., Holding Rivera de radio y televisión Channel 3, Channel 4, Channel 10, Teledoce, UTC, Uruvisión, Canal 27, STV
Vietnam Vietnam Television, Ho Chi Minh City Television VTV1, VTV3, HTV7, HTV9
Venezuela Venevisión, RCTV, VTV

Sponsorship

[edit]
Coca-Cola was one of the sponsors of FIFA World Cup 1998.

The sponsors of the 1998 FIFA World Cup are divided into two categories: FIFA World Cup Sponsors and France Supporters.[45][46]

FIFA World Cup sponsors France Supporters

The absence of Budweiser on pitch side advertising hoardings is notable due to the Evin law, which forbids alcohol-related sponsorship in France, including in sports events.[69]

Video games

[edit]

In most of the world, the official video game was, World Cup 98 released by EA Sports on 13 March 1998 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and the Game Boy. It was the first international football game developed by Electronic Arts since obtaining the rights from FIFA in 1997 and received mostly favourable reviews.[70][71][72]

In Japan, Konami was granted the FIFA World Cup licence and produced two distinct video games: Jikkyou World Soccer: World Cup France 98 by KCEO for the Nintendo 64, and World Soccer Jikkyou Winning Eleven 3: World Cup France '98 by KCET for the PlayStation. These games were released in the rest of the world as International Superstar Soccer '98 and International Superstar Soccer Pro '98, without the official FIFA World Cup licence, branding or real player names.[citation needed]

Also in Japan, Sega was granted the FIFA World Cup licence to produce the Saturn video game World Cup '98 France: Road to Win.[citation needed]

Many other video games, including World League Soccer 98, Actua Soccer 2 and Neo Geo Cup '98: The Road to the Victory were released in the buildup to the 1998 World Cup and evidently were based on the tournament. FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, also by EA Sports focused on the qualification stage.[citation needed]

Symbols

[edit]
Footix, the official mascot of the tournament

Mascot

[edit]

The official mascot was Footix, a rooster first presented in May 1996.[73] It was created by graphic designer Fabrice Pialot and selected from a shortlist of five mascots.[74] Research carried out about the choice of having a cockerel as a mascot was greatly received: 91% associated it immediately with France, the traditional symbol of the nation.[73] Footix, the name chosen by French television viewers, is a portmanteau of "football" and the ending "-ix" from the popular Astérix comic strip.[73] The mascot's colours reflect those of the host nation's flag and home strip – blue for the jump suit, a red crest and with the words 'France 98' coloured in white.

Match ball

[edit]
Main article: Adidas Tricolore

The official match ball for the 1998 World Cup, manufactured by Adidas was named the Tricolore, meaning 'three-coloured' in French.[75] It was the eighth World Cup match ball made for the tournament by the German company and was the first in the series to be multi-coloured.[76] The tricolour flag and cockerel, traditional symbols of France, were used as inspiration for the design.[76]

Music

[edit]
Main article: Music of the World Cup: Allez! Ola! Ole!

The official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup was "The Cup of Life", also known as "La Copa de la Vida", recorded by Ricky Martin.[77][78]

The official anthem was "La Cour des Grands (Do You Mind If I Play)" by Youssou N'Dour and Axelle Red.

Legacy

[edit]

Honorary FIFA President João Havelange praised France's hosting of the World Cup, describing the tournament as one that would "remain with me forever, as I am sure they will remain with everyone who witnessed this unforgettable competition".[79] Lennart Johansson, the chairman of the organising committee for the World Cup and President of UEFA added that France provided "subject matter of a quality that made the world hold its breath".[80]

Cour des Comptes, the quasi-judicial body of the French government, released its report on the organisation of the 1998 World Cup in 2000.[81]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

1998 FIFA World Cup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was the 16th edition of the quadrennial international men's football tournament organized by FIFA, hosted by France from 10 June to 12 July 1998 across ten cities. It marked the first expansion to 32 national teams, divided into eight groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to a knockout stage of 16 teams. A total of 64 matches were played, setting records for attendance with over 2.7 million spectators. Host nation France emerged victorious, defeating defending champions Brazil 3–0 in the final at the Stade de France, securing their first World Cup title through goals from Zinedine Zidane (two headers) and Emmanuel Petit. The tournament featured standout performances from Croatia, who achieved third place in their debut, and introduced teams like Japan and Nigeria to the competition. However, the final was marred by controversy surrounding Brazilian forward Ronaldo, who suffered a convulsive seizure hours before kickoff yet was deemed fit to play despite appearing subdued, amid later admissions of potential commercial pressures from sponsor Nike influencing the decision. Previous: [1994 FIFA World Cup] | Next: [2002 FIFA World Cup]

Host Selection

Bidding Process

The bidding process for the 1998 FIFA World Cup commenced with FIFA inviting member associations to submit applications for hosting rights. Formal bids were required by October 4, 1991, following announcements from interested parties such as in September 1991. Three nations advanced to the final evaluation stage: , , and . emphasized its extensive infrastructure, including plans for stadium upgrades and a new national stadium near , positioning itself as capable of hosting a 32-team expanded . highlighted its ambition to become the first African host, proposing venues across multiple cities with commitments to necessary developments. presented a bid centered on its alpine facilities and neutrality but lacked the political and financial backing of its rivals. The decision was made on July 2, 1992, during the 48th in , , where the 19-member FIFA Executive Committee conducted a secret ballot. France received 12 votes, securing the hosting rights, while Morocco obtained 7 votes and none. This outcome marked France's second time hosting the event, following 1938, and reflected FIFA's preference for established European infrastructure over emerging African candidacy at the time.

Voting and Selection Outcome

The host nation for the 1998 FIFA World Cup was determined by a vote of FIFA's 19-member Executive Committee during the 48th held in , , on 2 July 1992. and were the sole competing bidders, following Morocco's earlier unsuccessful bid for the 1994 tournament, which had been awarded to the . had initially expressed interest but withdrew prior to the vote, citing insufficient preparation to meet FIFA's requirements. In the ballot, received 12 votes, surpassing the required majority of 10, while obtained 7 votes, resulting in 's selection without the need for additional rounds. The outcome reflected 's emphasis on modern infrastructure, including 10 proposed stadiums with capacities exceeding 40,000 seats each, and strong governmental backing under President , contrasted with 's focus on emerging facilities and African representation. This decision marked the first time since 1966 that a European nation hosted the tournament, ending a sequence of selections outside for 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, and 1994.

Bribery and Corruption Investigations

In 1992, the FIFA Congress awarded the hosting rights for the 1998 FIFA World Cup to France on July 2, without opposition after Morocco withdrew its bid following extensive lobbying efforts. Despite the uncontested nature of the selection, subsequent investigations into FIFA's governance uncovered evidence of bribery linked to the process. Central to these revelations was the testimony of Charles "Chuck" , a former executive committee member and key informant for U.S. authorities. In a plea agreement unsealed in June 2015, admitted that he and other executive committee members had been solicited by and agreed to accept bribes in connection with the 1998 host selection. He specified that these bribes, facilitated through intermediaries including firms, influenced decisions during the bidding phase, even as faced no formal vote. 's cooperation with the FBI, beginning around , provided wiretap evidence and financial records that implicated officials in and wire schemes tied to allocations. The U.S. Department of Justice's investigation, part of a broader probe into FIFA launched in 2010, extended explicitly to the bidding process by mid-2015. Prosecutors alleged that bribes totaling millions were paid to secure loyalties, with and co-conspirators like Jack Warner receiving at least $1 million each from entities seeking influence over host decisions and related commercial . These payments were often disguised as consulting fees or routed through shell companies, highlighting FIFA's lack of transparency in executive voting. No criminal charges were directly filed against French bid officials for the 1998 process, and the tournament proceeded without interruption. However, Blazer's admissions underscored systemic vulnerabilities in 's unopposed selections, where pre-vote inducements could still occur to preempt challenges or lock in support. Swiss authorities, probing parallel matters, coordinated with the FBI but found insufficient evidence to void the 1998 award retroactively. The scandal contributed to 's 2015 ethics reforms, including stricter bidding protocols, though critics noted persistent issues in later host votes.

Qualification

Qualification Criteria and Process

A total of 174 national teams participated in the qualification process for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, competing for 31 spots in addition to the automatic entry granted to host nation . The campaign began with preliminary matches on 10 1996 and ended with the final intercontinental play-off on 29 1997. Qualification formats varied by confederation, typically involving group stages with home-and-away matches, followed by play-offs where necessary, under FIFA's oversight to determine regional representatives based on performance metrics such as points (three for a win, one for a draw), , and head-to-head results. Slots were allocated as follows:
ConfederationSlots
15 (host + 14 qualified)
5 direct
CAF5 direct
AFC4 (3 direct + 1 via play-off vs. OFC)
3 direct
OFC0 (1 play-off participant vs. AFC)
In , 50 teams entered across nine groups—five with five teams each and four with six—played from August 1996 to 1997. The nine group winners and the best-placed runner-up advanced directly, while the remaining eight runners-up contested a two-legged play-off in November 1997, with the four winners securing the final berths. featured a double round-robin among its nine entrants from 1996 to September 1997, totaling 16 matches per team; the top five teams qualified directly based on points. CAF conducted a two-round structure: a preliminary round reduced entrants to 20 teams, followed by five groups of four in the second round from June 1996 to 1997, with group winners advancing. AFC qualification spanned three rounds: an initial play-off for lower-ranked teams fed into a second round of 10 groups, whose winners progressed to a final round of two five-team groups from to 1997. The two group winners qualified directly, and the runners-up faced off in a , with the victor taking the third spot; the defeated runner-up did not participate further, as the intercontinental play-off was reserved for the designated AFC challenger against OFC. In , 16 teams initially competed in three four-team groups, with winners advancing to a final six-team round-robin from to November 1997; the top three finishers qualified outright. OFC's process involved 10 teams in a group stage and knock-outs from 1996 to 1997, culminating in as the representative to face AFC's in a two-legged intercontinental play-off on 22 and 29 November 1997, which Iran won 3–1 on aggregate to claim the berth. All matches adhered to , requiring players to hold citizenship or residency per confederation statutes, with no automatic berths for prior champions beyond the host.

List of Qualified Teams

The 1998 FIFA World Cup featured 32 teams, expanded from 24 in prior editions to allow broader global participation, with qualification spanning from March 1996 to November 1997 involving 173 competing nations alongside automatic host qualification. Slots were allocated as follows: received 15 (including host ), 5, CAF 5, AFC 3, and 3, with no direct OFC berth; an inter-confederation playoff awarded AFC's fourth potential spot to after defeating Australia's OFC representative 3–1 on aggregate in November 1997. The qualified teams, grouped by confederation, are listed below:
ConfederationQualified Teams
UEFA (15)Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, England, France (host), Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Scotland, Spain, FR Yugoslavia
CONMEBOL (5), , , ,
CAF (5), , , ,
AFC (3), ,
CONCACAF (3), ,

Preparations

Venues and Infrastructure

The 1998 FIFA World Cup utilized ten stadiums across ten host cities in , selected to distribute matches geographically and accommodate an expected attendance of over 2.7 million spectators for the 64 matches. These venues ranged from the newly built national stadium to established facilities renovated to specifications, which included minimum capacities of 40,000 for group stage games, all-seater configurations, floodlighting, and pitch dimensions of 105 by 68 meters. The centerpiece of the infrastructure was the in Saint-Denis, constructed from 1995 to 1998 at a cost exceeding 1.5 billion French francs (approximately 290 million euros at the time), replacing the smaller as 's primary venue. With a capacity of 80,000, its elliptical design featured a segment and was inaugurated on January 28, 1998, with a friendly match between and . It hosted the tournament's opening match on June 10 and the final on July 12. The other nine stadiums, primarily existing structures, underwent significant upgrades funded by local authorities, the , and private investment to enhance safety, accessibility, and spectator amenities, including expanded seating, improved media facilities, and anti-hooliganism measures like reinforced perimeters. Renovations increased average capacities by about 20-30% in several cases and were completed in time for test events in early 1998.
CityStadiumCapacity
Parc Lescure35,200
LensStade Félix-Bollaert41,000
44,000
60,000
32,000
38,128
48,875
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard36,000
Saint-Denis80,000
37,000
These developments not only met FIFA's technical standards but also contributed to long-term , particularly in northern suburbs like Saint-Denis, though some critics noted uneven regional benefits and reliance on public funding amid budget overruns.

Innovations and Rule Changes

The 1998 FIFA World Cup marked the debut of the rule in the tournament's stages, whereby the first goal scored during extra time would immediately conclude the match in favor of the scoring team. This modification, trialed in earlier competitions such as , aimed to reduce reliance on penalty shootouts by incentivizing aggressive play and decisive outcomes within 30 minutes of additional time. The rule's first application occurred on June 28, 1998, in the round of 16 clash between and , where Laurent Blanc's header in the 114th minute secured a 1-0 for the hosts, advancing them while eliminating . Concurrently, the (IFAB) implemented a stricter interpretation of Law 12 regarding fouls, mandating a direct red card for any tackle from behind that endangers an opponent's safety, classified as serious foul play. This change, effective for the tournament, sought to curb dangerous challenges prevalent in prior years, with referees instructed to expel offenders without discretion if the criterion was met. The ruling stemmed from ongoing concerns over player injuries from rear tackles, prompting IFAB's decision in early 1998 to prioritize safety through automatic dismissals rather than mere cautions. These alterations reflected FIFA's broader efforts to evolve the game's dynamics, though the drew criticism for occasionally fostering defensive strategies to avoid an early concession, as teams prioritized not losing over scoring first. No technological aids like video review were introduced, with decisions relying solely on on-field officials. The tournament's format expansion to 32 teams, featuring eight groups of four, had been ratified earlier but represented a structural by increasing participation and matches to 64, diluting group-stage intensity compared to prior 24-team editions.

Match Officials

FIFA selected 34 referees for the 1998 tournament, drawn proportionally from its six continental confederations to promote global representation, with appointments contingent on passing rigorous tests emphasizing endurance and speed. These officials, alongside 33 assistant referees, underwent centralized training in prior to the event, focusing on uniform application of the laws amid FIFA's directive for stricter enforcement against cynical fouls and , which resulted in 137 yellow cards and 5 red cards across 64 matches. The referees, listed by confederation, were:
ConfederationReferees
AFC (Asia)Abdul Rahman Al-Zeid (Saudi Arabia), Ali Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates), Masayoshi Okada (Japan), Pirom Un-Prasert (Thailand)
CAF (Africa)Said Belqola (Morocco), Gamal Al-Ghandour (Egypt), An-Yan Lim Kee Chong (Mauritius), Lucien Bouchardeau (Niger), Charles Masembe (Uganda)
CONCACAFEsfandiar Baharmast (United States), Arturo Brizio Carter (Mexico), Ramesh Ramdhan (Trinidad and Tobago)
CONMEBOL (South America)Javier Castrilli (Argentina), Épifanio González (Paraguay), Márcio Rezende de Freitas (Brazil), Mario Sánchez Yanten (Chile), Alberto Tejada (Peru), John Jairo Toro Rendón (Colombia)
OFC (Oceania)Edward Lennie (Australia)
UEFA (Europe)Marc Batta (France), Günter Benkö (Austria), Pierluigi Collina (Italy), Hugh Dallas (Scotland), Paul Durkin (England), Anders Frisk (Sweden), José García Aranda (Spain), Bernd Heynemann (Germany), Nikolai Levnikov (Russia), Urs Meier (Switzerland), Manuel Mateus Carvalho Oliveira Dias de Melo Pereira (Portugal), Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark), Rune Pedersen (Norway), László Vágner (Hungary), Mario van der Ende (Netherlands)
Said Belqola of refereed the final on July 12, 1998, between and at the , with assistance from Mark Bördin Warren of and Achmat Salie of ; Belqola's selection marked the first time an African referee handled a final. Notable group-stage decisions included Baharmast's penalty award to against the on June 21, 1998, for a deliberate handball, which, despite Iranian celebrations implying offside on a prior play, aligned with video review confirming the infraction occurred within the box. UEFA referees handled the majority of knockout matches, reflecting the confederation's quota dominance.

Security and Safety Measures

France identified primary security threats for the 1998 FIFA World Cup as , , and opportunistic criminality, prompting a comprehensive national response coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior. Over 35,000 officers from the National Police and —approximately one-sixth of France's total 220,000-strong law enforcement force—were mobilized nationwide for , VIP protection, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations across the 10 host cities. This deployment included specialized riot units, with additional reinforcements in high-risk areas like and , where up to 6,000 officers patrolled during key matches. Stadium safety protocols emphasized layered perimeter controls and internal monitoring. All venues mandated CCTV systems for real-time surveillance and evidentiary recording, supplemented by 5,500 stewards—one per 100 spectators—comprising one-third private personnel and two-thirds trained volunteers. Ticketing incorporated anti-counterfeiting features, personalized owner names for , and printed guidelines to deter unauthorized entry and promote spectator . Approximately 1,000 doctors and first-aid providers from emergency services were stationed to handle medical incidents amid crowds exceeding 2.5 million ticketed attendees and 500,000 foreign visitors. Hooliganism prevention relied on preemptive international collaboration through the K4 Committee, involving liaison officers and spotters from 31 countries to identify and monitor high-risk individuals. This effort resulted in 1,539 suspected hooligans being denied entry to France at borders and airports. During the tournament, 167 individuals from 18 nations faced charges for violence, with 106 receiving immediate convictions carrying penalties up to three years' imprisonment or fines equivalent to 25,000 French francs. Despite these measures, incidents occurred, including three days of riots in Marseille during England's 2–1 win over Tunisia on June 15, injuring at least 32 people through clashes between English supporters and local North African groups; and a sustained 45-minute assault by German hooligans on a gendarme outside the Lens stadium following Germany's match against Yugoslavia on June 21. These events highlighted limitations in segregating rival fan groups and managing alcohol-fueled escalations in fan zones and tent villages intended to channel festivities.

Tournament Setup

Squads and Player Selections

FIFA regulations for the 1998 World Cup permitted each of the 32 qualified teams to register a squad consisting of 22 players, from which matchday lineups and substitutes would be drawn. These squads were required to include at least two goalkeepers, though most teams opted for three, with the remaining positions allocated to outfield players based on coaches' tactical preferences. National associations submitted provisional lists of potential players—up to 40 names in some cases—by 1 May 1998, allowing time for evaluation of fitness and form before finalizing rosters. Final squads had to be confirmed with FIFA by 1 June 1998, approximately nine days before the tournament's opening match on 10 June. Player eligibility adhered to FIFA's statutes, requiring individuals to hold or meet ancestry criteria for the representing nation, with no changes permitted after the final submission except in cases of or illness, subject to medical verification. Selections were determined by national coaches, prioritizing recent club and international performances, physical condition, and team balance, often drawing from qualification campaigns where teams like and demonstrated strong attacking depth. Notable inclusions emphasized emerging talents alongside experienced players; for instance, Brazil's prioritized young forwards like , who had scored five goals in qualifiers, over aging stars. Several selections sparked debate due to high-profile omissions. In , 1994 World Cup hero was excluded from the final squad on 3 June 1998, officially attributed to a recurring calf muscle injury that hampered his preparation, despite his scoring record in earlier qualifiers and club play with Flamengo. Zagallo cited medical assessments confirming the issue, though publicly contested the severity and suggested interpersonal factors influenced the decision. Similarly, England's omitted midfield veteran , pointing to fitness concerns and disciplinary risks after the player's inconsistent form and off-field issues during qualification. These choices reflected coaches' emphasis on squad harmony and peak condition over reputation, amid the tournament's physical demands under newly introduced rules like three substitutions per match.

Draw and Group Fixtures

The group draw for the 1998 FIFA World Cup occurred on 4 December 1997 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France, where the 32 qualified teams were allocated into eight groups of four. FIFA employed a pot system to promote geographical diversity and competitive balance, dividing teams into four pots: Pot 1 contained the eight seeded teams (hosts France, fixed in Group C, plus Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Romania, Netherlands, and England, selected based on FIFA rankings and recent tournament performances); Pot 2 included the remaining nine UEFA teams; Pot 3 comprised non-European non-seeded teams from CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF; and Pot 4 held the other UEFA qualifiers to limit European concentration per group. The procedure began by assigning the non-France seeds from Pot 1 to the first position in Groups A, B, D, E, F, G, and H, followed by draws from subsequent pots to fill the groups while adhering to continental quotas (e.g., no more than two teams from UEFA excluding seeds in any group). This setup deliberately positioned top seeds like (Group C) and (Group A) in opposite halves of the knockout bracket—Groups A, D, E, H leading to one semifinal path, and B, C, F, G to the other—to delay potential clashes between favorites until the final, a decision later acknowledged by UEFA president as intentional manipulation for commercial appeal, though FIFA maintained it aligned with draw protocols. The resulting groups were as follows:
GroupTeams
A, , ,
B, , ,
C, , ,
D, , ,
E, , ,
F, , ,
G, , ,
H, , ,

Group Stage

The group stage featured notable matches, including the opening fixture where Brazil defeated Scotland 2–1 at the Stade de France, highlighted by Tom Boyd's second-half own goal securing the win for the defending champions. Another highlight was Italy's 2–1 victory over Austria in Group B, drawing an attendance of 80,000 at the Stade de France.

Group A

Group A featured Brazil, the defending champions from 1994, alongside Norway, Morocco, and Scotland. The group matches were played between June 10 and June 23, 1998, across venues in Saint-Denis, Montpellier, Nantes, and Bordeaux. The opening matches on June 10 saw defeat 2–1 at the , with scoring in the 46th minute, John Collins equalizing via penalty in the 47th, and Tom Boyd's in the 73rd securing the win for . Concurrently, drew 2–2 with at the , as scored in the 37th and Abdeljalil Hadda in the 59th for , while Youssef Chippo's in stoppage time of the first half and Kjetil Rekdal's penalty in the 77th leveled for . On June 16, routed 3–0 at the in , with opening in the 46th, adding in the 50th, and in the 66th. then drew 1–1 with at the Parc Lescure in , as Håvard Flo scored for in the 46th and equalized in the 66th. The final matches on June 23 determined advancement: upset 2–1 at the , with scoring in the 83rd and Rekdal converting a penalty in stoppage time, while Bebeto had put ahead in the 60th. eliminated 3–0 at the Stade de Saint-Étienne, with goals from Salah Aboud (60th), Abdelilah El Mouataz (75th), and Ali Boussati (90th). Brazil finished first with six points, advancing to the round of 16 against , while took second with five points to face . placed third with four points, and last with one.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1320163+36Advance to knockout stage
2312054+15Advance to knockout stage
331115504
4301226−41
Brazil's attack, led by and , produced six goals despite the loss to , which highlighted defensive vulnerabilities exposed by 's counterattacks. 's resilience in draws and the upset win marked their best performance to date. Morocco's draws and win over showed competitiveness but goal difference prevented advancement. struggled offensively, scoring only twice.

Group B

Group B consisted of , , , and . , appearing in their 13th World Cup, were favored as former champions from 1934 and 1982, while sought to build on their 1990 quarter-final run, and and aimed to progress from a competitive pool. The group produced five draws out of six matches, with 's two victories securing their first-place finish and advancement to the knockout stage against , the runner-up from ; qualified as runners-up via superior and faced , 's winner.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1321073+47
230304403
3302134−12
4302125−32
Source: On 11 June 1998, drew 2–2 with at Parc Lescure in before 31,800 spectators; scored in the 10th minute, equalized with a penalty in stoppage time of the first half and added another goal four minutes into the second half, before netted the equalizer in the 89th minute. Later that evening at Stade Municipal in , drew 1–1 with in front of 33,500 fans; gave the lead in the 78th minute, but equalized in the 91st minute. The second matchday on 17 June featured Italy's 3–0 win over at in , attended by 29,800; Angelo Di Biagio headed in the opener in the 6th minute from a corner, curled in a in the 68th minute, and Baggio finished in the 77th minute. In the concurrent fixture at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in , drew 1–1 with before 30,600 supporters; Salas scored in the 70th minute, but equalized with a header in the 93rd minute. Closing the group on 23 June, Italy defeated Austria 2–1 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis with 80,000 in attendance; Vieri headed the first goal in the 53rd minute from a Del Piero free kick, Baggio added a low shot in the 84th minute, and Polster converted a penalty in the 94th minute after a foul on Wolfgang Feiersinger. Simultaneously, at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, Chile drew 1–1 with Cameroon in front of 35,000; José Sierra scored in the 43rd minute, but Patrick M'Boma equalized in the 56th minute. Austria's injury-time equalizers against Cameroon and Chile ultimately left them eliminated on goal difference behind Chile, despite matching points with Cameroon.

Group C

Group C featured the host nation alongside , , and , the latter two having qualified through inter-confederation playoffs. dominated the group, securing advancement with maximum points after three convincing victories, while progressed as runners-up following a win, a draw, and a narrow defeat. earned a point from a late draw but finished third, unable to overcome early concessions, and managed only a single point despite a spirited final match.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1 (H, Q)330091+89
2 (Q)31113304
3South Africa302136−32
4301227−51
Source for standings: On 12 June, Denmark edged Saudi Arabia 1–0 at Stade Félix-Bollaert in Lens, with heading in the winner in the 69th minute from a corner. In the concurrent fixture at in , defeated 3–0, taking control after Laurent Blanc's header in the 37th minute and adding further goals through from a penalty in the 57th minute and Florian Maurice in stoppage time. The second matchday on 18 June saw rout 4–0 at in Saint-Denis, with scoring twice (37th and 77th minutes), adding one in the 67th minute, and sealing the result in the 84th minute, qualifying the hosts for the prematurely. and played out a 1–1 draw at , where gave the Danes the lead in the 15th minute before equalized for Bafana Bafana in the 51st minute. Closing the group on 24 June, overcame 2–1 at in in a tense encounter, as Youri Djorkæff converted a penalty in the 12th minute, leveled from the spot in the 41st before scored the decisive goal two minutes into the second half. and ended 2–2 at Parc Lescure in , with opening for the Africans in the 4th minute, equalizing via a penalty in the 31st, McCarthy restoring the lead in the 77th, and Abdulrazak Hamdallah tying it in stoppage time, though neither could advance.

Group D

Group D featured , , , and . Nigeria, the 1994 African champions, entered as pre-tournament favorites among the group but faced stiff competition from European sides and , the 1994 World Cup semi-finalists, while aimed to build on their defensive solidity. The group produced tight results, with 's goalless draws in their first two matches setting a low-scoring tone initially, before 's offensive outburst against . and advanced to the , with topping the group on after 's narrow victory over them in the final round. The opening match on 12 June 1998 saw defeat 3–2 at in , with goals from , , and an by for , countered by Juan Sebastian Veron and for ; this result gave an early lead despite 's possession dominance. On 13 June, and played out a 0–0 draw at in , marked by 's resolute defending against 's lackluster attack. On 19 June, secured a 1–0 win over at Stade Geoffrey-Guichard in , courtesy of a second-half penalty by , maintaining their perfect record. That same day, and drew 0–0 at in Saint-Denis, with unable to break through 's organized backline despite creating chances. The decisive final matches occurred on 24 June. Paraguay edged 1–0 at Stade Félix Bollaert in Lens, with José Cardozo's penalty sealing their advancement and exposing 's defensive frailties. In the other fixture, crushed 6–1 at in , with hat-tricks from Kiko Narváez and Juan Sebastian Veron, but their earlier loss to left them third on points despite the goal rampage.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1320143+16Advance to
2312010+15Advance to
3311184+44
4301217−61
Nigeria progressed as group winners, while Paraguay advanced as runners-up; Spain's elimination despite a superior goal difference highlighted the importance of points accumulation over late surges.

Group E

Group E comprised , , the , and , all of whom entered the tournament with varying expectations: the as dark horses with a talented including and the de Boer brothers; seeking to build on recent regional success; relying on experienced players like amid domestic turmoil; and aiming to make an impact as co-hosts of the upcoming 2002 tournament but hampered by defensive frailties. The group was marked by high-scoring affairs and draws among the favorites, culminating in three teams tied on five points, with advancement determined by under rules prioritizing that after points. The final standings reflected the competitiveness:
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1312072+55
2312075+25
3312043+15
43003210−80
The and progressed to the round of 16, where they faced and , respectively; 's superior record to but inferior to the top two led to their elimination despite an unbeaten campaign. Matches began on 13 June 1998 with a goalless draw between the and at Stade Félix Bollaert-Delivrance in Lens, attended by 38,862 spectators; the stalemate highlighted solid defending but lacked attacking flair, with neither side managing a shot on target in the second half. In the concurrent fixture at Parc des Princes in (capacity crowd of 45,000), secured a 3–1 victory over , with Luis Hernández scoring twice and Alberto García Aspe adding one, while South Korea's replied late; the result gave Mexico momentum through Hernández's clinical finishing. On 17 June at in (55,000 attendance), the and played out an entertaining 2–2 draw, featuring goals from and for the Dutch and plus Ramón Ramírez for ; the match showcased open play, with Mexico's counterattacks testing repeatedly. Later that day? No, the next key clash was on 20 June at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in (26,000 spectators), where and drew 2–2, with and Marc Emmers scoring for and and (his third of the group) for ; the draw kept both sides' hopes alive but exposed 's inability to convert dominance into wins. The group concluded on 21 June with two decisive matches. At Stade de Gerland in Lyon (before 30,000), the Netherlands overwhelmed South Korea 5–0, with Bergkamp netting twice, Ronald de Boer, Marc Overmars, and Jonk Van Hooijdonk scoring; South Korea's defense collapsed after early pressure, conceding all goals post-halftime. Simultaneously at Stade de Toulouse (33,000 attendance), Belgium edged South Korea 2–1, with goals from Johan Walem and de Bilde sandwiching a consolation from South Korea's Choi Moon-sik; the win secured Belgium's five points but insufficient goal difference for progression, underscoring the fine margins in the expanded 32-team format. South Korea's tournament exposed tactical naivety, as they failed to earn a point despite occasional threats from set pieces.

Group F

Group F featured , Federal Republic of , the , and . The group was played from 14 to 25 June 1998, with and advancing to the after finishing first and second, respectively, on goal difference despite both earning seven points. The opening match saw defeat 1–0 on 14 June at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in , with scoring from a in the 73rd minute. followed with a 2–0 victory over the on 15 June at Parc des Princes in , goals coming from and . On 21 June, drew 2–2 with at in Saint-Denis, where led 2–0 early through goals by Vladan Lukić and Darijo Jovanović before 's comeback via and Klinsmann. The same day, beat the 2–1 at in , with Hamid Estili opening the scoring in the 41st minute, followed by a United States reply through before Mehdi Mahdavikia's winner. The final matches on 25 June determined the qualifiers. secured a 2–0 win over at in , Bierhoff heading in the first in the 50th minute and Klinsmann adding a header later. clinched second place with a 1–0 triumph against the at in , Slobodan Komljenović heading the sole goal in the fourth minute. The finished last with no points, while took third with three points from their sole .
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1321062+47Advance to
2FR Yugoslavia321042+27Advance to
3310224–23
4300315–40
topped the group on superior , having scored more efficiently across their matches, while Yugoslavia's defense conceded fewer but with a narrower positive differential. The struggled offensively and defensively, failing to win any game despite competitive showings against stronger opponents. 's win over the marked their first World Cup victory, achieved through tactical discipline despite losses to the European sides.

Group G

Group G featured , , , and , with matches played between 15 and 26 June 1998. topped the group after securing two victories and one draw, advancing to the knockout stage with seven points and a +2 . finished second with four points and a +3 , qualifying despite a loss to , thanks to a final win over . earned three points from a single victory, while managed only one point and a -5 , finishing last.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1321042+27
2320152+34
3310223−13
4301215−41
Tie-breaking criteria applied: , goals scored, head-to-head results. On 15 June, defeated 2–0 at in , with goals from in the 5th minute and in the 83rd. In the concurrent match at Stade Félix Bollaert in Lens, beat 1–0 via Ilie's stoppage-time strike in the 45th minute. These results positioned both and with three points each after the opening round. The second round on 22 June saw overcome 2–1 at Stade de Toulouse in ; scored first in the 9th minute, equalized in the 81st, but netted the winner two minutes later. secured a 1–0 victory against at in , with Leider Preciado's header in the 82nd minute proving decisive. 's win eliminated from automatic qualification contention, forcing them to rely on the final matchday. In the decisive fixtures on 26 June, eliminated with a 2–0 win at Stade Félix Bollaert in Lens, where scored from a in the 30th minute and added a penalty in the 51st. drew 1–1 with at in Saint-Denis, with Ionel Gane scoring for before equalized through an by Gabriel Popescu. 's qualification was confirmed regardless of the result, while 's victory ensured their advancement as runners-up. The group produced five total goals from set pieces, highlighting defensive solidity among the teams.

Group H

Group H of the 1998 FIFA World Cup featured , , , and , with matches played between 14 and 26 . dominated the group, winning all three matches without conceding a , to finish first with 7 goals scored and 9 points. secured second place and advancement with two wins and one loss, scoring 4 goals while conceding 2. claimed third position and their first-ever points via a victory over , who ended last with no points after three defeats.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1330070+79
2320142+26
3310239−63
4300314−30
On 14 June at Stade de Toulouse, defeated 1–0 with a first-half penalty converted by , marking 's World Cup debut loss. In the concurrent match at Stade Félix-Bollaert in Lens, beat 3–1; opened scoring, equalized before halftime, but and added second-half goals for . On 20 June at in , edged 1–0 with a 77th-minute goal from Šuker, assisted by , securing 's advancement. The following day, 21 June, at in , routed 5–0; scored twice early, followed by goals from Batistuta, Claudio López, and , while received two red cards. The final group matches occurred on 26 June. At Stade du Parc Lescure in , Argentina topped 1–0 with a 35th-minute goal by , assisted by , confirming Argentina's group leadership despite Croatia's pressure and a late disallowed goal. Simultaneously, at Stade de Gerland in , defeated 2–1; scored both Jamaican goals in the 17th and 92nd minutes, with Japan's replying in between, earning Jamaica their historic first World Cup win and points.

Knockout Stage

Round of 16

The Round of 16 featured single-elimination matches between the group winners and runners-up, with extra time and the rule applied if necessary, followed by penalty shootouts. Eight matches were played from 27 to 30 June 1998 across various French stadiums.
DateMatchScoreVenue
27 June vs 1–0,
27 June vs 4–1,
28 June vs 1–0 (a.e.t.), Lens
28 June vs 4–1, Saint-Denis
29 June vs 2–1,
29 June vs 1–0,
30 June vs FR 2–1 (a.e.t.), Saint-Denis
30 June vs 2–2 (4–3 pens), Saint-Étienne
Italy's victory over came via a first-half header by in the 18th minute, securing progression despite Norway's second-half pressure. dominated with two goals from in the first half, a strike before halftime, and another from him in the second, while pulled one back for just before the interval. advanced against through Laurent Blanc's 113th-minute volley in extra time, marking the first use of the rule in a World Cup knockout match after a goalless . overwhelmed with goals from , two from , and , against a lone reply from , exposing Nigeria's defensive frailties post-group stage. Germany edged Mexico after conceding early to Luis Hernández in the 47th minute, with equalizing from a penalty in the 75th and scoring a late winner in the 89th. Croatia's netted the decisive goal in the 48th minute against Romania, capitalizing on a defensive error to advance. The Netherlands progressed past FR Yugoslavia via extra-time goals from and , overcoming a 1–0 deficit created by Slobodan Komljenović. Argentina eliminated England in a tense affair, with opening via penalty, leveling also from the spot, restoring the lead, and scoring after a controversial send-off of for kicking; penalties decided it 4–3 after extra time.

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup were contested on 3 and 4 July 1998, featuring the winners of the round of 16 matches in single-elimination fixtures. advanced by defeating 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw at the in Saint-Denis on 3 July, with attendance of 80,000; the match was characterized by defensive solidity, with Italy's missing the decisive penalty after 's saved from . In the subsequent match that day at in , defeated 3–2 before 49,500 spectators, with scoring twice (1st and 50th minutes) and adding one (60th minute) for , while (2nd minute) and (12th minute) replied for in a high-scoring affair marked by early exchanges. On 4 July, the progressed by beating 2–1 at in with 55,000 in attendance; opened the scoring in the 12th minute, Claudio López equalized for in the 73rd, and netted the winner in the 90+1st minute with a volley controlled off his chest from a long pass by . Later that day at in , eliminated 3–0 in front of 38,100 fans, with goals from (45th minute, assisted by ), (80th minute, assisted by ), and (85th minute), showcasing 's debut tournament resilience against the three-time champions. These results set up semi-final clashes between and , and and the .
DateMatchScoreVenueAttendance
3 JulyItaly vs France0–0 (3–4 pens)Stade de France, Saint-Denis80,000
3 July vs Denmark3–2Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes49,500
4 JulyNetherlands vs 2–1Stade Vélodrome, Marseille55,000
4 July vs 0–3, Lyon38,100

Semi-finals

The first semi-final match was played on 7 July 1998 between and the at the in , with an attendance of 60,000 spectators. The game ended 1–1 after extra time, with scoring for in the 46th minute and Patrick Kluivert equalizing for the in the 87th minute. advanced to the final by winning the 4–2, with successful penalties from , , , and ; the converted two ( and ) but missed the others taken by and . The second semi-final took place the following day, 8 July 1998, between the hosts and at the in Saint-Denis. secured a 2–1 victory, with scoring in the 1st and 70th minutes, while netted 's goal in the 46th minute. This result propelled into the final against Brazil, marking their first appearance there as hosts.

Third Place Match

The third-place match of the 1998 FIFA World Cup was played on 11 July 1998 at the Parc des Princes in Paris between Croatia, who had lost 2–1 to hosts France in the semi-finals, and the Netherlands, defeated 1–0 by Brazil in their semi-final. The game kicked off at 21:00 CEST and was refereed by Epifanio González from Paraguay, with an attendance of 45,500 spectators. Croatia opened the scoring in the 14th minute when curled a into the top corner after a foul on , giving the Balkan nation a 1–0 lead. The Netherlands responded eight minutes later, equalizing at 1–1 through , who volleyed in a clearance from a . Croatia regained the advantage just before in the 36th minute, as Davor Šuker headed in a cross from to make it 2–1. No further goals were scored in the second half, with both teams unable to break the deadlock despite efforts from Dutch stars like and , and 's defensive resilience holding firm. thus secured third place with a 2–1 victory, marking the independent nation's best-ever finish and their first medal in a major international tournament. The finished fourth, extending their streak without a podium finish since 1978.

Final

The 1998 FIFA World Cup final was contested on 12 July 1998 at the in Saint-Denis, , between host nation and defending champions . secured their first World Cup title with a 3–0 victory, marking only the second time a host country won the tournament after Uruguay in 1930. The match drew an attendance of 80,000 spectators and was officiated by Moroccan referee . France lined up in a 4–3–1–2–2 formation with in goal, defenders , , , and , midfielders , , and , alongside , Florent Guivarc'h, and . Brazil, under coach , fielded in goal, defenders , , , and , midfielders , , and , with forwards , , and Leonardo. A notable pre-match controversy involved Brazilian striker , who suffered a convulsive fit resembling an epileptic in the team hotel the previous night, leading to his initial omission from the starting lineup announced to . He was reinstated approximately 45 minutes before kickoff despite showing subdued performance in warm-ups, prompting speculation about his fitness but no substantiated evidence of external interference or match-fixing. The game began with France asserting early dominance, as Zidane headed in the opener in the 27th minute from a corner kick delivered by Lizarazu. Zidane scored again just before halftime in the 45+1st minute, rising above Brazilian defenders to head home Djorkaeff's corner, exploiting set-piece vulnerabilities in Brazil's defense. Brazil struggled to create chances, with Ronaldo managing only 20 touches and no shots on target, reflecting his compromised physical state. In stoppage time, Petit sealed the win with a long-range strike from 25 yards in the 90+3rd minute, curling the ball past Taffarel after a clearance from Deschamps. France's tactical discipline and aerial prowess, led by Zidane's two goals, overwhelmed Brazil's attacking flair, which had propelled them through the tournament. Zidane was named man of the match for his brace, contributing to 's tournament-leading six goals from set pieces. The victory sparked nationwide celebrations in , with President presenting the trophy to captain Deschamps amid an estimated 90,000 fans gathered at the stadium and millions more across the country. Brazil's loss ended their bid for a record fifth title, with Zagallo lamenting defensive lapses and Ronaldo's underperformance as key factors.

Statistics and Records

Goalscorers and Scoring

A total of 171 goals were scored in 64 matches during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, yielding an average of 2.67 goals per match. Four own goals were recorded, contributing to the overall tally. Croatia's topped the scoring charts with six goals, securing the Golden Boot as the tournament's leading marksman. He achieved this in seven appearances, including one penalty, with notable strikes against in the round of 16, in the quarter-finals, and in the third-place match. The following table lists the top goalscorers, determined by total goals excluding own goals:
RankPlayerNationGoalsPenalties
161
252
50
4Luis HernándezMexico40
Brazil40
Chile40
Šuker's haul edged out competitors despite fewer goals than some predecessors in prior tournaments, reflecting the relatively low-scoring nature of the event compared to earlier editions. Additional players reached three goals, including France's and the ' , but none surpassed the leaders.

Individual and Team Awards

The Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's best player based on votes from an international panel of journalists, was presented to of . The Silver Ball for second place went to Davor Šuker of , and the Bronze Ball for third to of . The Golden Boot for top goalscorer was won by of , who scored six goals across seven matches. Šuker's goals included two against in the round of 16 and two against in the quarter-finals. The award criteria prioritized total goals scored, with Šuker edging out competitors like and , both on five goals. FIFA named of as the Best Young Player, recognizing players under 23 years old; Owen, aged 18, scored two goals, including a notable long-range strike against in the round of 16. of received the award for best goalkeeper, based on performances that included three clean sheets in seven matches. FIFA's Fair Play Award, given to teams exemplifying sportsmanship and conduct, was shared by and ; England's recognition stemmed from disciplined play despite a group stage exit, while benefited from hosting duties and on-field behavior. FIFA's Technical Study Group selected a 16-player All-Star Team, comprising:
PositionPlayerNation
Goalkeeper
Defenders, , , , , ,
Midfielders, , , ,
Forwards, , , , , ,
This selection highlighted performers from the finalists and semi-finalists, with and each contributing multiple players.

Disciplinary Records

In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, officials issued 258 yellow cards and 22 red cards across 64 , averaging 4.03 yellow cards per . These figures reflect the tournament's disciplinary framework, where two yellow cards accumulated by a player across resulted in a one- suspension, while direct red cards led to immediate ejection and potential further bans. recorded the most red cards with three, including Marcel Desailly's double yellow in the final against —the second instance of a player being sent off in a World Cup final—and Laurent Blanc received a direct red card in the semi-final against for headbutting or elbowing Croatian captain Slaven Bilić after a corner kick collision, sidelining him for the final. received the highest number of yellow cards at 19 over seven , contributing to their fair play ranking despite reaching the final. followed with two reds and 12 yellows in five games. also incurred three reds, the joint-highest alongside .
TeamMatchesRed CardsYellow Cards
7313
7019
5212
Among players, Brazil's , France's , and Croatia's each collected three yellow cards, the tournament maximum. Notable suspensions included England's , dismissed via direct red against in the round of 16 for retaliating against , forcing him to miss the quarter-final. The tournament's disciplinary points system—assigning values such as one for a yellow card and higher for reds—highlighted and tied at 19 points each, though shared the Fair Play Award with for overall conduct.

Final Rankings

The official rankings placed first as tournament champions after defeating 3–0 in the final on July 12, 1998. finished second as runners-up. secured third place with a 2–1 victory over the in the third-place match on July 11, 1998. The ranked fourth. did not issue an official 1–32 ranking, but unofficial compilations rank all teams by total points accumulated across group and knockout stages (three points for a win, including those decided by penalty shootouts; one for draws; zero for losses), followed by and goals scored as tiebreakers. This method accounts for varying numbers of matches played while reflecting overall performance.
RankTeamMPWDLGFGAGDPts
1France7610152+1319
2Brazil74121410+413
3Croatia7502115+615
4Netherlands7331137+612
5Italy532083+511
6Argentina5311104+610
7Germany531186+210
8Denmark521297+27
9England421174+37
10Yugoslavia421154+17
11Romania421143+17
12Nigeria420269-36
13Mexico412187+15
14Paraguay412132+15
15Norway41215505
16Chile403158-33
17Spain311184+44
18Morocco31115504
19Belgium30303303
20Iran310224-23
21Colombia310213-23
22Jamaica310239-63
23Austria302134-12
24South Africa302136-32
25Cameroon302125-32
26Tunisia301214-31
27Scotland301226-41
28Saudi Arabia301227-51
29Bulgaria301217-61
30South Korea301229-71
31Japan300314-30
32USA300315-40

Marketing and Commercialization

Sponsorship and Partnerships

The 1998 FIFA World Cup featured 15 official FIFA partners, including global brands that secured rights for advertising, merchandising, and promotional tie-ins across the tournament's 64 matches. These sponsors encompassed categories such as apparel, beverages, electronics, and automotive, with serving as the official kit supplier and as a long-term FIFA partner since 1974. Key FIFA World Cup sponsors included , Canon, , , (via ), , , , Mars (promoting ), , and , enabling exclusive access to fan zones, stadium branding, and broadcast integrations. , for instance, launched its sponsorship campaign in with Brazilian soccer legend announcing enhanced fan benefits like priority ticketing. For host nation , national supporters complemented FIFA's global framework, with securing a deal in February 1997 to promote its dairy products through event activations and media exposure. This tiered sponsorship model generated substantial revenue for FIFA, estimated in the tens of millions, while providing sponsors with global reach amid the tournament's record viewership exceeding 30 billion cumulative audience.

Broadcasting and Media Coverage

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was broadcast to a global cumulative television audience estimated at 36 to 37 billion viewers across its 64 matches, averaging over 550 million viewers per game. This marked a significant increase from prior tournaments, driven by expanded team participation to 32 nations and heightened international interest, though such cumulative figures represent total viewing instances rather than unique individuals. FIFA facilitated the sale of through intermediary companies to networks worldwide, generating approximately 130 million Swiss francs in licensing revenue. In host nation , TF1 held primary rights and achieved record viewership for the final on July 12, 1998, drawing an average of 20.5 million viewers, with a peak of nearly 23 million and 75.8% of televisions tuned in. Pay-TV channel Canal+ also broadcast matches, contributing to nationwide engagement exceeding 30 million for key games in some estimates. The United Kingdom's coverage was shared between and ITV, with the versus round-of-16 match on June 22 setting a domestic record at 26 million viewers on ITV alone. In the United States, secured English-language rights for $22 million, doubling its prior payout and reflecting growing domestic interest despite soccer's niche status. Production standards included up to 23 cameras for high-profile matches like the and France's debut game, beamed to an initial worldwide audience of 500 million. Broadcasters in other major markets, such as Germany's ARD and , and Brazil's Globo, aired extensive live coverage, underscoring the event's commercial value amid rising global television rights fees.

Video Games and Merchandising

The official video game for the 1998 FIFA World Cup was World Cup 98, developed by EA Canada and published by , marking the first officially licensed World Cup title following FIFA's granting of rights to EA in 1997. Released in May 1998 for platforms including PlayStation, , and PC, it featured all 32 qualified national teams, 10 authentic stadiums from the tournament venues, and modes such as full World Cup simulation, knockout tournaments, and single matches with customizable rosters. The game incorporated licensed player likenesses, realistic physics for the era, and commentary by commentators like and , contributing to its reception as a benchmark for soccer simulations at the time. A precursor, FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, had been released in late 1997 as the fifth entry in the FIFA series, building anticipation with qualification scenarios leading into the finals but lacking full official tournament licensing. Merchandising for the 1998 World Cup generated substantial revenue through licensed products including apparel, souvenirs, replica trophies, and mascot-related items featuring Footix the cockerel. FIFA's overall marketing revenue, which encompassed licensing and merchandising rights, exceeded $245 million, forming a core component of the tournament's total $365 million in revenue alongside broadcasting income. Sponsors and licensees produced items such as jerseys, hats, and trading cards tied to teams and players, with official vendors distributing them at stadiums and through global retail channels to capitalize on the event's viewership of over 2 billion people across 202 countries.

Symbols and Identity

Mascot and Branding

The official mascot for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, hosted by France, was Footix, a cartoonish cockerel embodying the Gallic rooster as a longstanding national emblem of the country. Designed by French illustrator Fabrice Pialot, Footix sported a red crest, comb, and tail feathers, a blue one-piece jumpsuit bearing the "France 98" inscription on the chest, and stylized blue football boots with visible studs. This design aimed to create an approachable, marketable figure targeted at younger audiences to boost tournament engagement and merchandise sales. The branding for France 98 centered on the official emblem, which illustrated a soccer ball rising above the outline of situated on the Earth's curvature, evoking themes of global unity and French hosting prominence. The incorporated 's national tricolor—resolution blue (approximately #052789), (#FFFFFF), and red (#FF0800)—along with accents for contrast, ensuring visibility across promotional materials, signage, and broadcast graphics. These elements were consistently applied in official merchandise, tickets, and advertising campaigns organized by the Comité Français d'Organisation (), reinforcing national pride while adhering to FIFA's global standardization guidelines. Footix was integrated into this branding ecosystem, appearing alongside the emblem in posters, plush toys, and event activations to symbolize vitality and festivity.

Match Ball and Equipment

The official match ball for the 1998 FIFA World Cup was the Adidas Tricolore, unveiled by Adidas in December 1997. This design marked the first departure from monochrome World Cup balls, incorporating panels in blue, white, and red to reflect the French tricolor, alongside patterns evoking the tail feathers of the , France's national emblem. Manufactured in Morocco with hand-stitched construction, the Tricolore employed underglass printing technology and a thin layer of to enhance durability, , and rebound consistency, meeting FIFA's performance standards for elite-level matches. It was produced in size 5 for official use, with replicas featuring bladders and controlled bounce to replicate conditions. Tournament equipment adhered to FIFA regulations, including standardized goal dimensions of 7.32 meters wide by 2.44 meters high and nets with 120-millimeter mesh size. Referees wore -supplied kits, typically in contrasting colors such as black or red shirts with shorts and socks to distinguish from players; these were selected from multiple options to avoid clashes, a practice formalized since the . No significant innovations in player protective gear were introduced, with standard footwear, shinguards, and jerseys provided by national federations using brands like , Nike, and .

Official Music and Ceremonies

The official song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup was "" by , released in May 1998 and featuring Spanish and English versions to reflect the tournament's global appeal. The track, produced by and , incorporated Latin rhythms and a of "" that became synonymous with the event, peaking at number 45 on the and achieving platinum certification in multiple countries. An accompanying official anthem, "La Cour des Grands (Do You Mind If I Play)," was performed by and , blending Senegalese mbalax with French pop elements to evoke themes of unity and competition. Additionally, "" by served as a promotional electronic track tied to the tournament, featuring upbeat house beats and imagery of children painted in national flags playing football, though it held no formal designation as the primary anthem. The occurred on June 10, 1998, at the in Saint-Denis, preceding the versus match and attended by approximately 80,000 spectators. Produced by ECA2, it transformed the stadium into a "magical " motif, with hundreds of performers dressed as colorful insects and fantastical creatures emerging from five giant inflatable flowers that "gave birth" to oversized puppets symbolizing global diversity. The event incorporated projections, acrobatics, and , lasting about 20 minutes without live musical performances by the official artists, focusing instead on visual spectacle to set a festive tone for the 32-team tournament. The closing ceremony followed the final match on July 12, 1998, at the same venue, limited to roughly 10 minutes to transition directly from the Brazil-France game. It featured fire-dancers on , a pyrotechnic display simulating fireworks erupting from the stadium roof, and brief performances including Ricky Martin's rendition of to celebrate France's 3-0 victory. Elements of high fashion were integrated, with models showcasing Yves Saint Laurent designs amid the festivities, underscoring the event's blend of sport and cultural pageantry.

Controversies

Host Selection and FIFA Corruption

The bidding process for the 1998 FIFA World Cup host nation began in the early 1990s, with and emerging as the primary contenders after withdrew its candidacy due to insufficient infrastructure to meet 's requirements. On July 2, 1992, during the in Zurich, the executive committee conducted a single-round vote among its 19 members, awarding the tournament to with 12 votes against 's 7. This decision marked 's second time hosting the event, following , and emphasized Europe's rotational hosting pattern established since the tournament's inception, though sought to become the first African host. Subsequent investigations into FIFA's systemic corruption, particularly revelations from the 2015 U.S. federal probe, uncovered bribery tied directly to the 1998 host selection. Former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer, who cooperated with authorities after pleading guilty to racketeering and wire fraud charges, admitted in court testimony that he and other committee members accepted bribes to vote for France over Morocco. Blazer's confession specified that these payments were part of a broader pattern of vote-buying orchestrated within FIFA's leadership under President João Havelange and emerging under successor Sepp Blatter, where executive committee members solicited and received undisclosed financial incentives to influence hosting decisions. These admissions highlighted FIFA's entrenched culture of during the , where hosting bids served as vehicles for personal enrichment rather than merit-based evaluation of , fan access, or organizational capacity. While France's selection aligned with FIFA's preference for established European markets—evidenced by its superior stadium network and transportation systems—the bribery scheme undermined claims of impartiality, as Blazer detailed panel agreements to allocate bribes among voters. Concurrent allegations surfaced that Morocco's bid committee offered bribes to figures like Jack Warner, then-CONCACAF president, in a failed attempt to sway votes, further illustrating the dynamics pervasive in the process. No formal FIFA sanctions retroactively altered the 1998 hosting, but the exposed how such distorted global football governance, prioritizing insider deals over transparent criteria.

Tournament Draw and Scheduling Claims

, co-president of the 1998 FIFA World Cup organizing committee and later president, claimed in 2018 that "a little trickery" was used during the tournament draw to separate host nation and defending champions into opposite halves of the knockout bracket. The draw, conducted on 4 December 1997 at the in , involved eight seeded teams placed to avoid early clashes among top sides, with fixed in Group C as hosts. Platini, a French football legend, asserted this manipulation aimed to engineer a high-profile final between the two nations, enhancing commercial and spectator appeal, though he maintained it did not constitute outright rigging of match outcomes. Under the adjusted procedure, drew a group comprising , , and —teams considered less formidable compared to other pots—allowing the hosts to advance with maximum points and minimal strain. , meanwhile, was seeded into alongside , , and , positioning both powerhouses to potentially converge only in the final. This setup materialized: eliminated (1-0) in the round of 16, defeated on penalties in the quarter-finals, and beat 2-1 in the semi-finals before prevailing 3-0 over in the final on 12 July 1998 at the . Platini's disclosure, made amid his own investigations, has fueled skepticism about FIFA's impartiality, given his insider role and the lack of transparent oversight in seeding assignments. Separate claims regarding scheduling focused on perceived home advantages for , including more evening kickoffs and stadium allocations near population centers, which allegedly maximized attendance and reduced travel fatigue for the hosts. For instance, France played all knockout matches in or near , contrasting with Brazil's cross-country travels, though no concrete evidence of deliberate bias in fixture timetables has been substantiated beyond anecdotal critiques from Brazilian officials post-tournament. defended the schedule as logistically driven by broadcast demands and venue capacities across 10 stadiums, with 64 matches spanning 6 June to 12 July 1998. These assertions remain unverified, often conflated with broader host favoritism narratives rather than isolated scheduling irregularities.

Refereeing and Match-Fixing Allegations

Several high-profile refereeing decisions during the 1998 FIFA World Cup sparked , often amplified by the tournament's high stakes and the absence of video technology for reviews. FIFA had instructed its 124 officials to enforce stricter standards on fouls and dissent following criticism of lenient officiating in prior competitions, resulting in a record 23 red cards across 64 matches. This directive led to complaints from coaches and players about inconsistent application, though FIFA officials maintained that no or existed among referees. One of the most debated incidents occurred in the round of 16 match between and on July 30, 1998, refereed by Denmark's . English midfielder was sent off in the 47th minute for kicking out at after the Argentine had fouled him and fallen to the ground, simulating injury to influence the decision. Simeone later admitted in 2002 that he deliberately exaggerated the contact to provoke the red card, which shifted momentum and contributed to England's loss. The dismissal drew intense media scrutiny in England, with Beckham facing public backlash for what was deemed a retaliatory but unprofessional act. In the semi-final between and on July 8, 1998, United Arab Emirates referee Ali Bujsaim ejected French defender in the 113th minute of extra time for headbutting Croatian captain following a collision. Replays indicated minimal contact, with Bilić exaggerating the impact by clutching his face, leading to Blanc's suspension for the final and fueling Croatian claims of unfair officiating. advanced 2-1 despite the numerical disadvantage, but the decision overshadowed other calls, including unpunished handballs. Bilić's simulation was later acknowledged as tactical gamesmanship, though it deprived of a key defender in their title-winning match against . Additional controversies included U.S. referee Esfandiar Baharmast's award of a penalty to against the in their group stage match on June 21, 1998, which proved decisive in a 1-0 loss that eliminated the Americans; Baharmast defended the call as correct based on the foul inside the box, despite American protests. In the group opener between and on June 11, Nigerien referee Lucien Bouchardeau granted Italy a late penalty for , sealing a 2-2 draw after Chile's apparent qualification hopes; Chilean players argued the contact was inadvertent. Allegations of outright match-fixing involving referees or players remained unsubstantiated for the 1998 tournament, with no investigations or convictions emerging from the event itself, unlike later scandals in club football. While theories circulated post-tournament—often linking referee decisions to host nation favoritism or the final's outcome—no , such as financial trails or confessions, supported claims of manipulated results. Isolated attempts occurred in qualifiers, but reported only one such incident across 700 matches, underscoring that systemic fixing was not a documented issue during the finals.

Final Match Events and Ronaldo Incident

The 1998 FIFA World Cup final was contested on July 12, 1998, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, between hosts France and Brazil, with an attendance of 80,070 spectators. Refereed by Said Belqola of Morocco, the match saw France dominate, securing a 3–0 victory with goals from Zinedine Zidane in the 27th minute (via penalty after a foul on Youri Djorkaeff) and 45th minute (header from a Roberto Carlos corner), followed by Emmanuel Petit's long-range strike in the 90+3rd minute. Brazil, defending champions and pre-tournament favorites, managed only one shot on target despite possession advantages early on, as France's defensive solidity and counter-attacks overwhelmed them. Key Brazilian attempts, including a Roberto Carlos free kick ruled out for offside and Rivaldo's missed opportunities, failed to penetrate Fabien Barthez's goalkeeper, while Brazil's defense conceded from set pieces and transitions. Central to the match's narrative was the anomalous performance of Brazil's star striker , who started despite a medical crisis hours earlier. Approximately four hours before kickoff, Ronaldo suffered a convulsive in his hotel room, collapsing unconscious and exhibiting symptoms akin to an epileptic fit, as witnessed by teammate . He was rushed to a clinic, where doctors diagnosed the episode as a possibly triggered by extreme stress or , though no prior history of was reported; Ronaldo later attributed it to the psychological burden of expectations as the tournament's top scorer with four goals. Despite initial exclusion from the printed lineup—replaced by Edmundo—Ronaldo insisted on playing after rapid recovery, entering the starting XI just 45 minutes before kickoff, a decision endorsed by coach . On the pitch, Ronaldo appeared disoriented, recording only 20 touches, zero shots on target, and minimal involvement in Brazil's attack, contrasting his prior tournament dominance. Post-match, a Brazilian probed potential foul play, including unverified claims of improper medication—such as a misadministered dextrose supplement or experimental drug—administered by the team physician, which might have induced the . Conspiracy theories proliferated, alleging Nike influence (as Brazil's kit sponsor) to field Ronaldo for commercial gain or even deliberate sabotage, though FIFA's medical review and the Senate found no evidence of doping or external interference, attributing the incident to idiopathic causes exacerbated by tournament strain. Ronaldo's subdued play fueled speculation that lingering effects impaired Brazil's cohesion, contributing to their collapse, though France's tactical superiority under —leveraging home support and Zidane's brilliance—remains the primary causal factor in the outcome.

Security Threats and Other Incidents

French security forces thwarted potential terrorist attacks linked to the Armed Islamic Group (), an Algerian Islamist organization responsible for the 1995 Paris bombings that killed eight and injured over 200. On May 9, 1998, police discovered two cars containing 27 kilograms of explosives near , intended for detonation at World Cup stadiums; the devices resembled those used in prior operations. Concurrent European raids, including in , targeted cells plotting against the tournament, resulting in arrests of seven suspects after a ; these actions were credited with preventing disruptions. No bombings materialized during the event, reflecting effective preemptive measures amid heightened alerts following threats against French interests. Hooliganism posed the most immediate on-site security challenge, with English supporters central to outbreaks of . Prior to England's June 15 opener against in , clashes erupted on June 13-14 involving approximately 1,000 English fans, many with histories of disorder, against local youths and Tunisian supporters; hooligans wielded bottles, chairs, and metal bars, shattering cafe fronts and prompting Algerian fans to aid . French police deployed , , and water cannons, injuring over 100 people including 50 officers; 82 English fans faced arrest or expulsion. In response, authorities banned alcohol sales to England followers for subsequent matches, notably the June 18 game in Lens against , where restricted access and sobriety mitigated major unrest despite 2,000 traveling supporters. Additional fan-related disturbances occurred elsewhere, underscoring broader crowd control demands. German hooligans rioted before and after their June 21 match versus in Lens, clashing with police and locals in a pattern of pre-planned aggression. mobilized 25,000-30,000 personnel daily, including and units, to oversee 64 matches across 10 venues; while isolated scuffles involved other nationalities, English incidents drew international condemnation, with officials attributing them to a persistent subculture of organized rather than general fandom. These events highlighted vulnerabilities in multicultural fan interactions but did not derail the tournament schedule.

Legacy and Impact

Advancements in Football Format and Technology

The 1998 FIFA World Cup introduced an expanded format with 32 participating teams, up from 24 in prior tournaments, a decision ratified by FIFA's executive committee on 21 May 1994 to broaden global representation and increase match volume. This structure divided the competition into eight groups of four teams each, where the top two finishers per group automatically advanced to the , joined by the four best third-placed teams based on points, , and goals scored; this qualification method ensured 16 teams proceeded to the round of 16, culminating in 64 total matches across 32 days from 10 June to 12 July. The expansion allocated additional slots to confederations, with gaining nine berths, five, AFC four, CAF three, three, and OFC one, fostering greater inclusivity while maintaining competitive balance through the revised group dynamics. A key rule innovation was the debut of the mechanism in knockout matches, designed to resolve ties more decisively by ending extra time immediately upon the first goal scored, thereby eliminating full 30-minute periods and reducing player fatigue. Trialed in youth competitions since 1993, this sudden-death variant was applied for the first time at a senior men's World Cup, with France's netting the inaugural —a header from a corner—against on 28 June in Lens, securing a 1-0 in the round of 16 after 113 minutes. The rule aimed to encourage attacking play but drew for inducing caution, as evidenced by only six golden goals across the tournament's six extra-time instances, prompting its eventual phase-out after 2002. Technological enhancements included the replacement of manual cardboard substitution boards with electronic displays for fourth officials, improving real-time communication of player changes to stadium audiences and broadcasters. This shift, part of broader officiating efficiencies, supported the tournament's scale without introducing decision-aiding tools like , which remained absent until later editions. Broadcasters leveraged the event for pioneering high-definition trials and multi-feed productions, though core on-pitch technology remained analog, prioritizing format-driven spectacle over assistive systems.

Cultural and National Narratives in France

The French national football team's victory on July 12, 1998, against Brazil by a 3–0 scoreline in the final sparked widespread celebrations symbolizing national unity through diversity. The squad's composition, including of Algerian heritage, of Ghanaian descent, and players of Caribbean and other immigrant backgrounds, was promoted via the "black-blanc-" slogan—denoting black, white, and Arab () elements—as evidence of successful integration within 's republican model. and media outlets framed the triumph as a validation of , with public gatherings drawing hundreds of thousands in and other cities, temporarily bridging divides amid ongoing debates on . This narrative aligned with state emphasis on universalist assimilation, portraying the team's success as a product of shared French values rather than ethnic hyphenation. Critics, including National Front leader , rejected the portrayal, arguing the team's demographic makeup lacked "Frenchness" and exemplified artificial rather than organic unity, a view echoed in conservative discourse questioning integration efficacy. Analyses of post-victory reactions highlight the "black-blanc-beur" ideal as largely symbolic and ephemeral, with no discernible empirical uptick in social cohesion metrics such as reduced suburban unrest or improved immigrant employment rates in subsequent years. Persistent challenges, including high in banlieues and gaps, manifested in events like the 2005 riots, underscoring that the World Cup euphoria masked structural issues rather than resolving them. Mainstream media's amplification of unity themes, often from outlets with progressive leanings, contrasted with these realities, prioritizing aspirational metaphors over causal evidence of lasting societal repair. Broader cultural interpretations revealed tensions between sporting triumph and debates, where the event's metaphors of inclusion competed with narratives of fragmentation. While the boosted short-term pride and influenced perceptions of football as a social integrator, longitudinal assessments indicate it neither halted rising identitarian divides nor prompted shifts addressing root causes like educational disparities in immigrant communities. Subsequent team performances, including internal conflicts at the 2010 World Cup, further illustrated that diversity alone did not guarantee cohesion without deeper cultural alignment. Thus, the 1998 narratives, though potent in evoking optimism, reflected more a desired than an achieved reality of national harmony.

Economic and Infrastructural Outcomes

The hosting of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in entailed total expenditures estimated at $2.3 billion, encompassing stadium infrastructure, transportation enhancements, and operational expenses largely borne by public funds. A primary infrastructural outcome was the construction of the in Saint-Denis, completed in December 1997 at a cost of approximately €290 million, marking the first new national stadium in since 1924 and designed to seat 80,000 spectators with a and turf system. Nine additional venues, including the in and in , received renovations to comply with FIFA's capacity and facility standards, though specific aggregate renovation costs remain undocumented in available analyses beyond the overall budget. Econometric evaluations of short-term impacts revealed no statistically isolable effects on overnight stays, net national tourism income, or retail sales attributable to the tournament, contrasting with more discernible gains in subsequent hosts like in 2006; visitor numbers failed to exceed typical annual levels, suggesting displacement of regular travel rather than net addition. The event aligned temporally with France's exit from a four-year , recording 3.3% GDP growth in 1998 amid pre-existing robust expansion, alongside a spike in consumer confidence that analysts link to national victory but without causal evidence of sustained macroeconomic uplift. Empirical studies indicate modest positive employment effects in and sectors during preparations and the event period. In the long term, the has generated ongoing revenue through hosting finals, rugby internationals, concerts, and other events, mitigating initial investment sunk costs via diversified utilization, though broader infrastructural returns remain debated given the predominance of renovations over greenfield developments.

Long-Term Influence on Global Football

Croatia's third-place finish at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, achieved as a newly independent , demonstrated the viability of tactical discipline and individual brilliance enabling smaller countries to compete against football powerhouses, defeating 2–0 in the quarter-finals and the 2–1 in the third-place match. This performance, led by players such as (top scorer with six goals) and , elevated Croatia's global standing and prompted sustained investment in youth academies and domestic leagues, contributing to their later successes including silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022 despite a under 4 million. France's hosting and victory, utilizing a balanced 4–3–3 formation emphasizing midfield control and counter-attacks, showcased the effectiveness of integrating diverse talents like , whose two headed goals in the final underscored creative playmaking's value over sheer athleticism. This triumph spurred long-term enhancements in French football infrastructure, including expanded youth training systems that produced subsequent generations of exports like and , influencing global clubs' recruitment from talent pipelines beyond traditional European cores. The tournament's expansion to 32 teams, first implemented in 1998, facilitated broader confederation representation with five African qualifiers (, , , , ) and Asian debuts (, , ), embedding a structure that encouraged FIFA's developmental initiatives in underrepresented regions to foster competitive parity over time. Croatia's adoption of a 3–5–2 formation under coach , which maximized wing-back overlaps and central defensive solidity, gained traction as a for underdogs, influencing tactical evolutions in clubs and national teams seeking to counter possession-dominant styles prevalent in the late . Zidane's emergence as a global icon post-victory amplified football's commercial appeal, driving sponsorships and media coverage that expanded the sport's reach in emerging markets.

References

  1. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/celebrating-history-of-32-team-world-cup-1998-2022
  2. https://collect.fifa.com/marketplace/P_P11
  3. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198155/france-brazil
  4. https://sports.ndtv.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/history/1998-france-football-world-cup
  5. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/12/football/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-1998-cmd-spt-intl
  6. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2219756/ronaldo-admits-to-nike-interference
  7. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cups-101-most-memorable-moments-ronaldo-returns-for-1998-final
  8. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/09/25/Swiss-bid-for-98-World-Cup/7234685771200/
  9. https://www.historicalkits.co.uk/international/tournaments/fifa-world-cup/1998/1998-index.html
  10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342909182_%27The_alternative_bid%27_The_failure_of_Switzerland%27s_candidacy_for_the_1998_World_Cup
  11. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/02/France-wins-bid-for-1998-World-Cup/3472710049600/
  12. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14660970.2020.1793629
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/03/sports/france-gets-1998-world-cup.html
  14. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-03-sp-1401-story.html
  15. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpwc/CmpWC1998Finals.html
  16. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/03/fifa-chuck-blazer-bribes-world-cup
  17. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/fifa-corruption-scandal/fifa-bribery-scandal-involved-two-world-cups-ex-official-testified-n369346
  18. https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/03/us/fifa-chuck-blazer-transcript
  19. https://www.france24.com/en/20150603-fifa-blazer-admits-taking-bribes-1998-2010-world-cup-france-south-africa
  20. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fbi-extends-fifa-scrutiny-to-world-cup-host-bids-of-russia-qatar-idUSKBN0OI22O/
  21. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-fifa-exec-says-committee-members-accepted-bribes/
  22. https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98qual.html
  23. https://www.oceaniafootball.com/fifa-world-cup-1998-oceania-qualifiers/
  24. https://www.worldfootball.net/all_matches/wm-1998-in-frankreich/
  25. https://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1998/wc98squads.html
  26. https://www.worldfootball.net/venues/wm-1998-in-frankreich/
  27. https://internationalbroadcasts.fandom.com/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup
  28. https://www.vinci-construction-projets.com/en/realisations/stade-de-france/
  29. https://www.stadefrance.com/en/stadium/our-history
  30. https://www.bouygues-construction.com/en/our-achievements/stade-de-france
  31. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/06/18/for-world-cup-french-shoot-at-costly-goals/9fd4765c-6feb-4e34-9c82-911fea789561/
  32. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2024/06/26/the-stade-de-france-from-1998-world-cup-to-2024-olympics-a-beacon-of-hope-for-paris-suburbs_6675845_117.html
  33. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cups-101-most-memorable-moments-the-golden-goal-rule
  34. https://talksport.com/football/395155/what-was-the-golden-goal-rule-world-cup-2022-qatar/
  35. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-19-sp-41030-story.html
  36. https://www.offtheball.com/soccer/three-football-rule-changes-that-ultimately-benefited-the-sport-255353
  37. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/25/joy-of-six-short-lived-football-rule-changes
  38. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/world-cup-golden-goal-fifa-28629441
  39. https://old.socceramerica.com/publications/article/18223/world-cup-98-fifa-announces-referees.html
  40. https://allafrica.com/stories/199805190157.html
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/world-cup-98-as-refs-get-tougher-everyone-else-gets-angrier.html
  42. https://refsix.com/news/world-cup-final-referees
  43. https://jobsinfootball.com/blog/world-cup-final-referees-full-list/
  44. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/12/esse-baharmasts-big-call
  45. http://benoitdupont.openum.ca/files/sites/31/2015/07/impact.htm
  46. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-06-sp-57205-story.html
  47. https://www.nydailynews.com/1998/06/14/cops-stop-rowdy-crowds-world-cup-security-is-scoring-goal/
  48. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43217083
  49. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/articles/number-players-squad-sizes
  50. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpwc/CmpWCHeartache.html
  51. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/no-place-in-brazil-squad-for-romario-1.159540
  52. https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/fifa-national-team-eligibility-rules-players-who-have-switched--everything-you-need-to-know/1hndiedxd2d4h1jfved27pg4go
  53. https://breakingthelines.com/historical-series/brazils-summer-of-1998-the-final-confusion-and-chaos/
  54. https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/hall-of-fame-romario-brazil-penalty-box-panther-over-1000-career-goals/blt7cd7afecead0ea2f
  55. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/01/sports/new-overtime-rule-for-1998-world-cup.html
  56. https://old.socceramerica.com/publications/article/18057/world-cup-1998-draw.html
  57. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37496720/was-1998-world-cup-france-fixed
  58. https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-the-1998-world-cup-draw-was-fixed
  59. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198093/scotland-brazil
  60. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198102/austria-italy
  61. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198092/norway-morocco
  62. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198095/morocco-brazil
  63. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/110435.stm
  64. https://www.nytimes.com/specials/worldcup/98/articles/061198soc-wc-mor-nor-game.html
  65. https://www.transfermarkt.us/brazil_morocco/index/spielbericht/936675
  66. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/198094/norway-scotland
  67. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7657678.stm
  68. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/24/sports/world-cup-98-norway-stuns-brazil-sends-morocco-home.html
  69. https://soccer365.net/competitions/742/1998/
  70. https://globalsportsarchive.com/en/soccer/competition/fifa-world-cup-1998-france/261
  71. https://fbref.com/en/comps/1/1998/1998-World-Cup-Stats
  72. https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98full.html
  73. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198098/chile-italy
  74. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/vorbericht/index/spielbericht/936661
  75. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198099/austria-cameroon
  76. https://www.transfermarkt.com/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/936660
  77. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198101/cameroon-italy
  78. https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/11593/Italy_Cameroon.html
  79. https://africa.espn.com/football/match/_/gameId/198100/austria-chile
  80. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxOeznKWh2I
  81. https://www.transfermarkt.com/italy_austria/index/spielbericht/936692
  82. https://fbref.com/en/matches/5063e7bd/Chile-Cameroon-June-23-1998-World-Cup
  83. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR82DyBDRRE
  84. https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/1998/finals/group-c
  85. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198104/denmark-saudi-arabia
  86. https://www.transfermarkt.com/france-saudi-arabia/index/spielbericht/936678
  87. https://www.transfermarkt.com/south-africa_denmark/index/spielbericht/936679
  88. https://www.transfermarkt.com/france_denmark/index/spielbericht/936694
  89. https://www.transfermarkt.us/weltmeisterschaft-1998/gesamtspielplan/pokalwettbewerb/FIWC/saison_id/1997
  90. https://www.thesoccerworldcups.com/world_cups/1998_group_f.php
  91. https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/wm-1998-in-frankreich-gruppe-f/0/
  92. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198125/iran-united-states
  93. https://www.transfermarkt.com/germany_iran/index/spielbericht/936700
  94. https://old.socceramerica.com/publications/article/18984/world-cup-usa-0-yugoslavia-1-final.html
  95. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198127/yugoslavia-united-states
  96. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/iran-usa-france-1998-spt-intl
  97. https://www.thesoccerworldcups.com/world_cups/1998_group_g.php
  98. https://www.transfermarkt.com/romania_england/index/spielbericht/936687
  99. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/leider-preciado-goal-82-colombia-vs-tunisia-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/e44396ae-dbdf-4554-9857-f4815d7091b5
  100. https://thereggaeboyz.com/japan.htm
  101. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198134/japan-argentina
  102. https://www.transfermarkt.com/argentina_japan/index/spielbericht/936673
  103. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198135/croatia-jamaica
  104. https://www.transfermarkt.us/jamaica_croatia/index/spielbericht/936672
  105. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198136/croatia-japan
  106. https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/12590/Japan_Croatia.html
  107. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198137/jamaica-argentina
  108. https://www.transfermarkt.com/argentina_jamaica/index/spielbericht/936689
  109. https://www.transfermarkt.com/argentina_croatia/index/spielbericht/936705
  110. https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/12592/Argentina_Croatia.html
  111. https://www.transfermarkt.com/japan_jamaica/index/spielbericht/936704
  112. https://www.fifa.com/en/archive
  113. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/brazil-v-chile-round-of-16-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-full-match-replay/be839955-06d6-4306-b3c8-102b809ac5a7
  114. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/france-v-paraguay-round-of-16-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-full-match-replay/305137bf-4789-4130-abef-816bda027d9e
  115. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/germany-v-mexico-round-of-16-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-full-match-replay/e2fcd93a-07a7-418b-a3ad-a33a4992f874
  116. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/argentina-v-england-round-of-16-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-full-match-replay/fcf14999-246e-41bf-b235-6be36ccc7f54
  117. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/brazil-v-chile-i-round-of-16-i-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-highlights/dfe82d3f-ed20-4e4a-b9fb-34f88e7dcbcb
  118. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/laurent-blanc-goal-114-france-vs-paraguay-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/8666c33c-e20d-453e-a547-57d7c7a554fd
  119. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198144/mexico-germany
  120. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198143/paraguay-france
  121. https://www.transfermarkt.com/spieltag/index/spielbericht/936712
  122. https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/wm-1998-in-frankreich-viertelfinale/0/
  123. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198148/france-italy
  124. https://www.transfermarkt.us/italy_france/index/spielbericht/936714
  125. https://www.transfermarkt.com/brazil_denmark/index/spielbericht/936715
  126. https://fbref.com/en/comps/1/1998/schedule/1998-World-Cup-Scores-and-Fixtures
  127. https://www.transfermarkt.com/netherlands_argentina/index/spielbericht/936717
  128. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198152/netherlands-brazil
  129. https://www.transfermarkt.us/brazil_netherlands/index/spielbericht/936718
  130. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/198153/croatia-france
  131. https://www.transfermarkt.com/france_croatia/index/spielbericht/936719
  132. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/france-v-croatia-semifinal-i-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-highlights/15370362-aa49-432d-bf93-cf0fedabf846
  133. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/netherlands-v-croatia-third-place-match-i-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-highlights/959dfb80-dd5d-4419-b4a8-7c4af425cf6d
  134. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/198154/croatia-netherlands
  135. https://www.transfermarkt.com/netherlands_croatia/index/spielbericht/936720
  136. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/robert-prosinecki-goal-14-netherlands-vs-croatia-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/69566aa3-d44d-47ce-ad7c-5880e568fb6c
  137. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/netherlands-v-croatia-play-off-for-third-place-1998-fifa-world-cup-france-full-match-replay/eff5dbe0-9c56-43ae-b6d8-1cc5ef287872
  138. https://www.transfermarkt.us/brazil_france/index/spielbericht/936721
  139. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3719497/2022/12/16/ronaldo-brazil-1998-world-cup-final-france/
  140. http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1998/wc98statistics.html
  141. https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/wm-1998-in-frankreich/
  142. https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/FIFA.WORLD/season/1998
  143. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/ronaldo-golden-ball-award-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/c2e9a33b-4ca5-4d72-8023-bae49eab7506
  144. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/davor-suker-silver-ball-award-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/838db664-5cec-40cd-9a3d-0bda1b858a49
  145. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/lilian-thuram-bronze-ball-award-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/552e8ebd-16b7-487b-a861-b1ee4e43f6ab
  146. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/davor-suker-golden-boot-award-1998-fifa-world-cup-france/c03c3f80-f0fe-42e9-a5b9-0fba98630b80
  147. https://www.worldcupbrackets.info/tournaments/world-cup/1998/
  148. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/articles/fair-play-award-winners
  149. https://fbref.com/en/awards/wc_all_star/FIFA-World-Cup-All-Star-Team
  150. https://www.thesoccerworldcups.com/world_cups/1998_awards.php
  151. https://www.playmakerstats.com/edition/franca-1998/19/stats?v=et4&o=VE
  152. https://www.besoccer.com/competition/rankings/world_cup/1998/yellow-cards
  153. https://inside.fifa.com/tournament-organisation/partners
  154. https://www.sportbusiness.com/2018/06/1950-2014-the-history-of-world-cup-sponsorship/
  155. https://www.flickr.com/photos/world_cup_pins/48720265297/
  156. https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=628515226e6519cd78a337efd9fd6ccf&mediatype=video&source=youtube
  157. https://www.marketingweek.com/danone-signs-world-cup-98-sponsorship/
  158. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13207704
  159. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-15/history3a-france-1998/5449384
  160. https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/campaign-report-football-france-98-broadcasting-bargain-multi-million-dollar-prices-world-cup-rights-seem-exorbitant-yet-broadcasters-advertisers/16048
  161. https://scispace.com/pdf/the-fifa-world-cup-media-football-and-the-evolution-of-a-2m996ny9or.pdf
  162. https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/tf1-breaks-frances-all-time-viewing-record-during-thrilling-world-cup-final/
  163. https://inside.fifa.com/news/the-day-frances-world-cup-dream-came-true-2985189
  164. https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/soccer-kicks-up-record-u-k-auds-1117478099/
  165. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2014/06/09/american-world-cup-rights-fees-soar-along-with-viewership/
  166. https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/kirch-fifa-world-cup-tv-coverage-beats-expectations/
  167. https://oldgamesdownload.com/world-cup-98/
  168. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps/199326-world-cup-98
  169. https://www.ign.com/games/world-cup-98
  170. https://segaretro.org/FIFA_Road_to_World_Cup_98_%28Saturn%29
  171. https://store.fifa.com/clothing/fifa-classics/france-98
  172. https://ceo-na.com/business/the-economic-legacy-of-the-world-cup/
  173. https://www.academia.edu/10437252/France_and_the_1998_World_Cup_Chapter_Buying_and_selling_the_World_Cup
  174. https://www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/collection-sample/footix-official-mascot-for-the-fifa-1998-world-cup/
  175. https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/world-cup-mascots-design-evolution/
  176. https://dreamfarmagency.com/blog/fifa-world-cup-mascots/
  177. https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/4228/1/Footix%2520The%2520History%2520Behind%2520A%2520Moderrn%2520Mascot.pdf
  178. https://www.designhill.com/design-blog/fifa-world-cup-logo-designs/
  179. https://www.schemecolor.com/1998-fifa-world-cup-logo-colors-france.php
  180. https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/list_by_team/1969/1998-World-Cup-France-Logos/
  181. https://www.ebay.com/itm/146864001738
  182. https://football-balls.com/ball-details/tricolore-official-match-ball-of-world-cup-1998-in-france
  183. https://www.adidas.com/us/blog/the-complete-history-of-adidas-world-cup-match-balls
  184. https://soccerballworld.com/official-world-cup-1998-tricolore-soccer-ball/
  185. https://www.ebay.com/itm/353956472355
  186. https://refereekithistory.com/fifa-world-cup/
  187. https://www.footballkitarchive.com/world-cup-1998-kits/
  188. https://www.billboard.com/lists/world-cup-songs-anthems-list/
  189. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19513024/
  190. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/110256.stm
  191. https://www.eca2.com/cases/football-world-cup-opening-closing-ceremonies/
  192. https://m.rediff.com/sports/1998/jul/10e.htm
  193. https://blooloop.com/video/football-world-cup-ceremonies-france-1998/
  194. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/ricky-martin/1998/stade-de-france-saint-denis-france-3b9b18e8.html
  195. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/the-closing-ceremony-of-the-world-cup-1998
  196. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/sports/soccer/soccer-official-chuck-blazer-admitted-accepting-bribes-for-world-cup-votes.html
  197. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/06/03/fifa-panel-agreed-bribes-blazer-told-judge/28452457/
  198. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/05/118256/u-s-judge-claims-that-morocco-bribed-fifa-to-host-1998-world-cup/
  199. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37556452/another-chapter-morocco-history-world-cup-bidding-failure
  200. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44170578
  201. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/18/michel-platini-world-cup-1998-brazil-france-draw-trickery
  202. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2018/05/18/michel-platini-soccer-1998-world-cup-fixed-france-brazil/623327002/
  203. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/soccer/5539346/world-cup-france-brazil-fixed-michel-platini/
  204. https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles/platini-1998-world-cup-draw-was-fixed
  205. http://www.nytimes.com/specials/worldcup/98/articles/062598soc-wc-redcards.html
  206. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/19/worldcupfootball2002.sport9
  207. https://inside.fifa.com/news/when-david-met-diego-2851710
  208. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/989113/Slaven-Bilic-vs-Laurent-Blanc-What-happened-France-vs-Croatia-red-card-World-Cup-98
  209. https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/06/newsstory.sport4
  210. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/slaven-bilic-laurent-blanc-red-28713833
  211. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/07/sports/soccer-fixed-matches-are-darkening-soccer-s-image.html
  212. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brazil-ronaldo-documentary-world-cup-28246444
  213. https://en.as.com/soccer/ronaldo-recalls-suffering-a-seizure-before-98-world-cup-final-n/
  214. https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/06/01/ronaldos-1998-seizure-world-cup-final-appearance-remains-one-footballs-greatest-mysteries
  215. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2195695/senate-to-investigate-ronaldo-seizure
  216. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-exg0D-g-E
  217. https://neverfeltbetter.wordpress.com/2025/05/10/the-finals-1998-the-seizure/
  218. https://www.rferl.org/a/1088739.html
  219. https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=c6a92964f39b5fe670f77a4f3fa77ac6&mediatype=video&source=youtube
  220. https://ncbrt.lsu.edu/programs/worldcup/pastthreats.php
  221. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/10/trouble-marseille-1998-violence-england-euro-2016
  222. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/120468.stm
  223. https://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/june-1998/
  224. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-21-sp-60374-story.html
  225. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/world-cup-format-evolution-change-history-1930-2026
  226. https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/100-great-world-cup-moments-71-laurent-blanc-france-paraguay-1998
  227. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/1998-world-cup-vive-la-revolution-1.850774
  228. https://inside.fifa.com/en/news/32-days-to-go-france-1998-opens-its-arms-wide
  229. https://consensus.app/search/what-was-the-impact-of-the-1998-fifa-world-cup-on-/y4zdG0CWR_yLyiApL0HZRg/
  230. https://theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/17/france-win-world-cup-didier-deschamps-diversity
  231. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249733887_World_Cup_France_%2798_Metaphors_Meanings_and_Values
  232. https://academic.oup.com/esr/article/29/6/1201/451141
  233. https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/identity-and-the-french-national-team/the-history-african-influence-in-french-soccer/
  234. https://www.academia.edu/30335884/Football_Race_and_the_Republic_A_Study_of_Reactions_to_France_s_1998_World_Cup_Victory
  235. https://theworld.org/stories/2018/06/29/after-france-won-1998-world-cup-french-diversity-was-celebrated-it-was-short
  236. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/10/opinion/when-even-soccer-divides-the-french.html
  237. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/101269000035003006
  238. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311511845_Football_Race_and_the_Republic_A_Study_of_Reactions_to_France%27s_1998_World_Cup_Victory
  239. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2024/06/18/les-bleus-vs-the-far-right-three-decades-of-attacks-and-counterattacks_6675063_9.html
  240. https://www.facebook.com/Chavezkampanikiza/posts/the-costs-of-hosting-the-worldcup-france-1998-23-billion-japan-2002-7-billion-ge/697891055034423/
  241. https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/fra/stade_de_france
  242. https://footballtripper.com/france/stade-de-france/
  243. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40326165
  244. https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/easeco/v35y2009i4p500-519.html
  245. https://www.theglobalist.com/kicking-economic-growth/
  246. https://systems.enpress-publisher.com/index.php/IJMSS/article/view/9727
  247. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/22/IHT-world-soccer-event-ripples-through-economy-cashing-in-on-the-cup.html
  248. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/france-world-cup-victory-affect-135637541.html
  249. http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:725280
  250. http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:725280/FULLTEXT01.pdf
  251. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/15/sports/IHT-what-future-for-the-stade-de-france.html
  252. https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/croatia-defining-a-nation/94ff84ba-445f-4504-bd23-e2caf4036abe
  253. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37499113/croatia-hoping-emulate-world-cup-heroes-1998-own-terms
  254. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6445372/2025/07/17/football-architects-croatia-football-overperformers/
  255. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/12/tragedy-and-triumph-the-remarkable-tale-of-croatias-first-football-steps
  256. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1443144-great-team-tactics-how-france-conquered-world-cup-1998-and-euro-2000
  257. https://spielverlagerung.com/2016/01/04/1998-world-cup-final-france-brazil-30/
  258. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1761641-how-winning-world-cup-98-changed-french-football-forever
  259. https://cris.brighton.ac.uk/ws/files/6556309/The_impact_of_international_football_events_on_local_national_and_transnational_fancultures_intro_FInal_1_.pdf
  260. https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/research-projects/france/the-commercialization-of-zidanes-image-after-1998/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.