Champion
France won its first men's World Cup title on home soil.
France 1998 gave the World Cup a new format and a new champion. The hosts beat Brazil in the final, won the trophy for the first time, and made the 32-team era feel bigger from the opening week.
The 1998 FIFA World Cup still matters because it changed the scale of the competition. It was the first men's edition with 32 teams, which made group-stage variety and knockout pressure feel closer to the modern World Cup fans know now.
It also changed France's place in football history. Before 1998, France had never won the men's World Cup. After it, the country became one of the defining forces of the modern era.
France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final in Saint-Denis. Davor Suker finished as top scorer with six goals, while Ronaldo won the Golden Ball.
The tournament was also the first men's World Cup with 32 teams, making it a major structural turning point in competition history.
1998 World Cup Overview
France hosted the tournament from 10 June to 12 July 1998. Thirty-two teams played 64 matches and scored 171 goals, a strong total for the first edition under the new format.
France took the title, Brazil finished runner-up, Croatia ended third in its first World Cup as an independent nation, and the Netherlands placed fourth.
The final is best remembered for two Zidane headers from first-half corners and a late Emmanuel Petit goal that confirmed the hosts' first world title.
Golden Boot
Davor Suker scored six goals for Croatia.
New Era
France 1998 was the first men's World Cup played with 32 teams.
Key Data and Award Winners
| Category | Name or Team | Stat | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | France | 1st title | 1998 |
| Runner-up | Brazil | Lost 3-0 in the final | 1998 |
| Top scorer | Davor Suker | 6 goals | 1998 |
| Best player | Ronaldo | Golden Ball winner | 1998 |
| Best goalkeeper | Fabien Barthez | Yashin Award winner | 1998 |
| Third place | Croatia | Best result in first appearance as an independent nation | 1998 |
| Tournament total | 32 teams | 64 matches, 171 goals | 1998 |
Key Moments and Full Breakdown
France took full advantage of the home stage
France stayed compact, controlled big moments, and rose with the atmosphere of a home tournament. The team beat Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals, removed Croatia in the semi-finals, and then delivered its best performance in the final.
That last match settled more than one debate. France was no longer only a talented football country. It had become a world champion.
Croatia produced one of the great first-tournament runs
Croatia reached the semi-finals in its first World Cup appearance as an independent nation and then beat the Netherlands to finish third. Suker finished the tournament as top scorer with six goals.
That run remains one of the strongest surprise campaigns in the tournament's modern history, especially because it was built on both quality and composure.
The 32-team format immediately felt permanent
Expanding from 24 to 32 teams created a bigger, more global field while still producing a strong knockout bracket. France 1998 showed that the World Cup could grow without losing competitive edge.
That legacy is important because every later format debate has been judged against how smoothly the 1998 expansion worked in practice.
Connection to World Cup 2026
World Cup 2026 will expand again, this time from 32 to 48 teams and 104 matches. France 1998 is the best historical proof that a bigger field can still produce a clear champion and several unforgettable storylines.
France also remains central to the 2026 discussion because its 1998 breakthrough started a long era of relevance. The title on home soil was the start, not the peak.
Related World Cup history: FIFA World Cup 2002 - Brazil's Record Fifth Title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup?
France won the 1998 World Cup by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final.
Who was the top scorer at the 1998 World Cup?
Davor Suker won the Golden Boot with six goals.
Why was the 1998 World Cup important for format history?
It was the first men's World Cup with 32 teams.
How far did Croatia go in 1998?
Croatia reached the semi-finals and finished third.
Conclusion
The 1998 World Cup gave football a new tournament size and a new champion in the same summer. France used home support brilliantly, Croatia delivered a historic run, and the event showed that expansion did not have to weaken quality.
That is why 1998 still matters in 2026 conversations. It remains the best example of how the World Cup can grow and still feel sharp, elite, and memorable.