World Cup 2026: France's record in tournament quarter-finals

09.07.26 FT World Cup

France

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Morocco

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The French national team is set to face Morocco this Thursday, July 9 at 8 p.m. GMT in Boston. This marks Les Bleus' ninth quarter-final appearance in a World Cup.

Seasoned World Cup contenders, the French will contest a World Cup quarter-final for the ninth time in their history. In their previous eight appearances, they've advanced six times, suffering elimination only twice.

France's first appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals dates back to 1938. It ended in disappointment with a 3-1 defeat to Italy in Paris. Seventy-six years later, Les Tricolores lost another quarter-final, this time to Germany (0-1) in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1958, France triumphed in their quarter-final against Northern Ireland (4-0), only to be knocked out at the gates of the final by Brazil (2-5). In 1986, they edged out Brazil (1-1, 4-3 on penalties) before falling to West Germany (0-2) in the semi-finals.

During their title runs in 1998 and 2018, France eliminated Italy (0-0, 4-3 on penalties) and Uruguay (2-0) in the quarter-finals. On their way to the lost finals of 2006 and 2022, they dispatched Brazil (1-0) and England (2-1), respectively.

It’s worth noting that in 1982, there were no quarter-finals—only semi-finals after two group stages. France were eliminated by West Germany on penalties (3-3, 4-5 in the shootout).

A seventh podium for France?

Didier Deschamps' men are aiming for a fifth appearance in the World Cup final. To get there, they must overcome Morocco and then face the winner between Spain and Belgium.

Les Bleus have lifted the trophy twice (1998, 2018) and finished runners-up twice (2006, 2022). They have also claimed third place twice (1958, 1986) and finished fourth once (1982).

Only three nations have reached the World Cup podium more often than France: Germany (12 in 21 appearances), Brazil (9 in 23), and Italy (7 in 18). Argentina also boasts six podium finishes (three titles and three runner-up spots).

Next come the Netherlands (four podiums), Sweden and Croatia (three each), and Uruguay, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland with two podiums apiece.

England, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Austria, the United States, Chile, and Turkey have each managed a single podium finish.

Summary of France's World Cup quarter-final matches

1938: France vs Italy (1-3)

1958: France vs Northern Ireland (4-0)

1986: Brazil vs France (1-1, 3-4 on pens)

1998: France vs Italy (0-0, 4-3 on pens)

2006: France vs Brazil (1-0)

2014: France vs Germany (0-1)

2018: France vs Uruguay (2-0)

2022: France vs England (2-1)

Dernières courses avant France-Maroc 🏃⏳ pic.twitter.com/L8qlC85rTA

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 9, 2026

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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