World Cup: France smashes records galore

France continues its incredible run in World Cup history. After reaching the semi-finals once again, Les Bleus cement their status as a global powerhouse and match several historic benchmarks.

Les Bleus have now joined Italy among the tournament’s most successful nations. With their performances in this 2026 edition, the French team has hit the 45-win mark at the World Cup, drawing level with Italy for fourth place on the all-time list of teams with the most victories in the competition.

The ranking is still led by Brazil, boasting 79 wins, ahead of Germany (70) and Argentina (52). France and Italy now complete the top four with 45 victories apiece.

Three consecutive semi-finals, an exceptional feat

The French squad also enters a very exclusive club, becoming only the third nation to reach the men’s World Cup semi-finals in three consecutive tournaments.

Before them, only Germany and Brazil had achieved such consistency. The Germans reached the last four in 1982, 1986, and 1990, then again between 2002 and 2014, while Brazil made three straight semi-finals from 1994 to 2002.

With their campaigns in 2022, 2026, and this latest qualification, France now stands alongside these global football giants.

An impressive unbeaten run in knockout stages

Les Bleus’ consistency is equally striking when it comes to do-or-die matches. Since their elimination by Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, the French have not lost a World Cup knockout match in regulation time.

This streak is a testament to the mental and sporting resilience of a generation used to the biggest stages.

Mbappé keeps rewriting history

Kylian Mbappé, for his part, continues his march toward greatness. The French captain has become the only player since 1966 to record 10 decisive contributions (goals and assists) in two different World Cups.

His stats are staggering: World Cup 2022 with 8 goals and 2 assists, then World Cup 2026 with 8 goals and 2 assists.

The Mbappé-Dembélé duo joins Ronaldo-Rivaldo

France has also pulled off a rare attacking feat, becoming the first team since 2002 World Cup champions Brazil to have two players each score at least five goals in a single tournament.

Back in 2002, Brazil’s duo was Ronaldo (8 goals) and Rivaldo (5 goals). Twenty-four years later, Les Bleus replicate the achievement with Kylian Mbappé (8 goals) and Ousmane Dembélé (5 goals).

With these collective and individual records, France continues to strengthen its place among the greatest nations in World Cup history.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.