French Football Team
Men’s international football is represented by the Franc national football team and is controlled by French Football Federation also known as FFF. The color of the jersey is blue, white and red. French football team is also known as The Blues. The most recent and the last world cup that was held in 2018 were won by the French Football Team. The team’s manager is Didier Deschamps and the home matches of the French Football Team are played on Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Île-de-France. The squad has won two each FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, FIFA Confederations Cups whereas winning one each title in CONMEBOL- UEFA Cup of Champions and UEFA National League. France was amongst the first four teams from Europe that participated in inaugural World Cup 1930. The first official title of France was won in 1984 i.e. UEFA Euro under the leadership of the three-time Ballon d'Or winner Michel Platini. Having won the UEFA Nations League in October 2021, France became the first team in history to win all possible senior FIFA and confederation competitions.
HISTORY
The National team of France was formed in 1904, around the time of FIFA’s foundation in 21 May, 1904 and had its’ first international match on 1 May 1904 against Belgium which ended 3-3. In the following year, France contested its’ first home match against Switzerland and France won it by 1-0. It was played in front of 500 supporters. The inaugural FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in July 1930. At the Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo, France defeated Mexico 4–1 in their first World Cup match.France's first World Cup goal was scored by Lucien Laurent during the match, and it was the first goal ever scored at the World Cup. In 1934 World Cup, France faced elimination in the opening round loosing against Austria (2-3).
In 1938,France hosted the World Cup and reached quarter finals and losing it to the defending champions Italy by 3-1. In 1958, France reached to semi-finals losing it to Brazil. For third position, France defeated it to the West Germany by 6-3 with Fontaine recording four goals which brings his record to the 13 goals in the world cup. The record is still unbeatable till today.
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In the 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France, France defeated Brazil 3–0 under Jacquet's leadership.
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Further in 2018, France once again was the leading squad in the tournament and topped in the group with 23 points wining 7 matches, 2 draws and losing one match leading them to face Croatia in the finals. France won the tournament second time by defeating Croatia by 4-2. Didier Deschamps became the third person win the world cup as a player and as a coach as well as became the second person to own the title as the captain and the coach.
HOME STADIUMS
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The team's national stadium alternated between the Parc des Princes in Paris and the Stade Olympique Yves-du Manoir in Colombes. France also has Stade Pershing, Stade de Paris, and the Stade Buffalo but these are used minimally. France started hosting matches in the following stadiums outside paris- Stade Marcel Saupin in Nantes, the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, and the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg.
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Parc des Princes was renovated in 1972, after which it had the largest capacity of seating in the Paris. The venue was permanent for the French men to practice for football. In 1998, Stade de France was inaugurated as the National stadium of the France located in Saint-Denis with the seating capacity of 81,00 plus people. The first ever match was played on 28 January in 1998 against Spain. France won the game, since this match, France has used it for almost every major home game including 1998 World cup. Former President of FFF Fernand Sastre inaugurated the stadium in 1976 and it was opened in 1988. It was used as a base camp to the French national football squad who won the 1998 world cup.
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France sustained many names which were referred to them as Les Bieus or The Blues. The Team is also referred as Les Tricolors or the Tri-color team due to its’ colors i.e. blue, white and red which symbolizes the National flag of the France Nation. France also earned the nickname “ Brazilians of the Europe” due to the accolades of the magic square. It was noticed that France has elegant, skillful and technically has advanced offensive style of football which was more similar to the South American counterparts.
