France football federation. France was one of the four European teams that participated at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 . In the 1980s, led by midfielder and captain Michel Platini , the team reached semi-finals at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and won the 1984 European Championship . France then reached an even higher status in international football by being especially successful at the end of the 1990s and in the 2000s; they won the World Cup as the host nation in 1998 , and the European Football Championship two years later , while also placing second at the 2006 World Cup tournament. Midfielder Zinédine Zidane was particularly instrumental in achieving those honours. France and Argentina are the only national teams which have won the three most important men's titles organized by FIFA : the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Tournament.

France was one of the four European teams that participated at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 . In the 1980s, led by midfielder and captain Michel Platini , the team reached semi-finals at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and won the 1984 European Championship .

France then reached an even higher status in international football by being especially successful at the end of the 1990s and in the 2000s; they won the World Cup as the host nation in 1998 , and the European Football Championship two years later , while also placing second at the 2006 World Cup tournament. Midfielder Zinédine Zidane was particularly instrumental in achieving those honours.

France and Argentina are the only national teams which have won the three most important men's titles organized by FIFA : the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Tournament.