France has won the FIFA World Cup three times: in 1998, 2018, and 2022. This tally places them among the most successful nations in the tournament’s history, tied with Argentina. Their seven semifinal appearances (as of 2026) underscore a rare consistency. Only Germany and Brazil have reached more semifinals.
The first title came on home soil in 1998. Zinedine Zidane scored two headed goals in a 3-0 final win over Brazil. France scored 15 goals that tournament; Zidane contributed two.
Twenty years later, a youthful squad captured the 2018 title in Russia. Kylian Mbappé, then 19, scored four goals, including one in the 4-2 final victory over Croatia. The team netted 14 goals, with Antoine Griezmann adding three.
The 2022 title in Qatar was the most dramatic. France lost the final to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick in that final, finishing the tournament with eight goals. That performance made him the all-time leading scorer for France in a single World Cup, surpassing Just Fontaine’s 13 goals (set in 1958).
Near misses define France’s resilience. They lost the 2006 final to Italy on penalties, a match infamous for Zidane’s headbutt. They also fell in the 2022 final. Beyond finals, quarterfinal exits—such as in 2014 (1-0 loss to Germany) and 2024—have been frequent.
France’s semifinal record is 4 wins, 3 losses. The wins: 1958 (2-1 vs. Brazil), 1998 (2-1 vs. Croatia), 2006 (1-0 vs. Portugal), 2018 (1-0 vs. Belgium). The losses: 1982 (3-3 draw, lost on penalties to West Germany), 1986 (2-0 loss to West Germany), 2022 (2-0 loss to Argentina).
Statistical dominance is clear. France has scored 134 goals across all World Cups. Just Fontaine remains the all-time leading scorer with 13 goals, all in 1958. Kylian Mbappé, with 12 goals (as of 2026), is second. The team has kept 15 clean sheets across tournaments.
Comparing to other multi-title winners:
| Team | Titles | Semifinal Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 5 | 11 |
| Germany | 4 | 13 |
| Italy | 4 | 8 |
| Argentina | 3 | 6 |
| France | 3 | 7 |
France’s World Cup history teaches a lesson in sustained excellence. They have won three titles and reached the semifinals seven times. No other nation has matched that ratio of titles to deep runs. The core question—how many times has France won the World Cup—is answered decisively: three.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: How many times has France won the World Cup?
- A: France has won the FIFA World Cup three times: in 1998, 2018, and 2022.
- Q: Who scored the winning goals in France’s 1998 World Cup final?
- A: Zinedine Zidane scored two headed goals in the 3-0 final win over Brazil.
- Q: How old was Kylian Mbappé when France won the 2018 World Cup?
- A: Kylian Mbappé was 19 years old and scored four goals in the 2018 tournament, including one in the final.
- Q: What happened in the 2022 World Cup final for France?
- A: France lost to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 draw, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a hat trick.
- Q: How many semifinal appearances has France made in World Cup history?
- A: France has made seven semifinal appearances as of 2026, with a record of 4 wins and 3 losses.
Extended Reading
Data for this report was sourced from USA Today, Khel Now, and Bolavip, which catalog France’s full tournament history, including semifinal records, top scorers, and match results.