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France won the World Cup for the first time on home soil in 1998, beating Brazil in the final and overcoming teams including Italy, Denmark and Croatia on the way. Nearly three decades on, that squad still stands as one of the defining groups in international football, and many of its members remain visible in coaching, broadcasting, football administration and public life.
Bernard Lama — Squad Goalkeeper And Later National-Team Coach
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| Bernard Lama was France’s No. 1 in 1998. / IMAGO/WEREK |
Bernard Lama wore France’s No. 1 shirt at the 1998 World Cup but did not play during the tournament. The former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper made only a small number of further appearances for France before retiring in 2001.
After stepping away from playing, Bernard Lama moved into coaching and later took charge of Kenya’s national team. He has since stepped back from football management.
Fabien Barthez — France’s Starter And A Move Into Motorsport
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| Barthez holds a World Cup record. / IMAGO/Panoramic |
Fabien Barthez was France’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout the 1998 World Cup and played in all seven matches. He kept five clean sheets in the tournament and later added more shutouts across the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, leaving him with a joint record of 10 World Cup clean sheets.
After club spells that included Manchester United, Marseille and Nantes, Fabien Barthez retired in 2007. He then switched his focus to motorsport and won the French GT Championship in 2013.
Lionel Charbonnier — From Reserve Keeper To Punditry
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| Charbonnier played for Rangers. / IMAGO/Photo News |
Lionel Charbonnier won only one senior cap for France but still left the 1998 World Cup with a winners’ medal. The former Auxerre and Rangers goalkeeper remained one of the least-used members of the squad during that era.
Following retirement, Lionel Charbonnier moved into management with Aceh United and Tahiti’s Under-20 side. He now works as a pundit.
Vincent Candela — From France Backup To Roma-Based Projects
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| Remember Vincent Candela? / IMAGO/LaPresse |
Vincent Candela played only a limited role in the 1998 World Cup because Bixente Lizarazu held down the left-back position. Candela did, however, start France’s final group-stage match against Denmark and went on to collect 40 caps.
After retirement, the former Roma defender remained based in Italy and founded a football museum as well as a padel club in Rome.
Bixente Lizarazu — Elite Left-Back Turned Media Figure
Bixente Lizarazu played in all but one of France’s matches at the 1998 World Cup and was one of the team’s most consistent performers. He scored and assisted against Saudi Arabia and later built a club career that included six Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.
Since retiring, Bixente Lizarazu has taken on more than one post-football role. He competed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and later became a familiar pundit on French television and radio.
Laurent Blanc — World Cup Defender Who Moved Into Management
Laurent Blanc was central to France’s 1998 run but missed the final because of suspension after the semifinal. He continued playing until 2003 and ended his club career with Manchester United.
Laurent Blanc then moved into coaching and managed France between 2010 and 2012. His club career in the dugout later included Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Al Ittihad.
Marcel Desailly — “The Rock” And A Career In Media And Advocacy
Marcel Desailly started every game for France at the 1998 World Cup and remained one of the side’s defensive leaders all the way to the final. He was sent off against Brazil, but France still completed the victory.
After retiring from international football in 2004 and ending his club career in 2006, Marcel Desailly moved into punditry. He also serves as UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador for Ghana.
Lilian Thuram — France Great And Anti-Racism Campaigner
Lilian Thuram was named in the World Cup All-Star team after an outstanding 1998 campaign. He is still best remembered in that tournament for scoring both goals in the semifinal against Croatia, which remained his only two international goals.
Since retirement in 2008, Lilian Thuram has become heavily involved in political and social causes, particularly anti-racism work and equal-rights advocacy. He also runs his own foundation and serves as a UNICEF ambassador.
Frank Leboeuf — Defender Who Also Built An Acting Career
Frank Leboeuf started only two matches in France’s 1998 World Cup campaign, including the final against Brazil, where he replaced the suspended Laurent Blanc. He went on to earn 50 caps for France.
Leboeuf had already begun working in acting during his playing career and continued in that field after retirement. One of his best-known roles came in The Theory of Everything in 2014.
Patrick Vieira — Young Squad Member Who Became A Manager
Patrick Vieira was only 21 during the 1998 World Cup and was not yet one of France’s main starters, but he still left a mark. He impressed against Denmark and later came off the bench in the final to register an assist.
Patrick Vieira retired as one of France’s major midfield figures after earning 107 caps. He later moved into management and has held roles including Nice, Crystal Palace and Genoa.
Youri Djorkaeff — Tournament Creator Now At FIFA Foundation
Youri Djorkaeff played in every game of France’s 1998 World Cup campaign and contributed one goal and three assists. His creative influence was especially important deep into the knockout rounds.
After finishing his club career in 2006 following spells that included Inter, Bolton, Blackburn and Red Bull New York, Youri Djorkaeff moved into football administration. He is now chief executive of the FIFA Foundation.
Didier Deschamps — Captain Then World Cup-Winning Coach
Didier Deschamps captained France to the 1998 World Cup and later repeated the feat as head coach in 2018. That places him alongside only a very small group to have won the competition both on the pitch and on the touchline.
Before returning to international football as coach, Didier Deschamps managed Monaco, Juventus and Marseille. He is expected to leave the France role after the 2026 World Cup.
Zinedine Zidane — Final Hero Still Waiting For His Next Job
Zinedine Zidane delivered the defining performance of France’s 1998 World Cup final, scoring twice against Brazil. His tournament included a suspension earlier in the competition, but his contribution in Paris secured his place in football history.
Zidane later won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and moved from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001. As a coach, he led Real Madrid to three straight Champions League titles and is currently out of work.
Robert Pires — Late International End, New Role In Baller League
Robert Pires started only once at the 1998 World Cup, but his later club career made him one of the most recognisable names in the squad. He became a major figure at Arsenal and won two Premier League titles, including the unbeaten campaign.
Robert Pires stopped playing for France after 2004 but continued at club level for years after that. He is now involved as a coach in the Baller League.
Bernard Diomède — Youth Coaching In French Football
Bernard Diomède made three appearances during France’s 1998 World Cup-winning run. Although he did not feature again for the national team after the tournament, he remained part of that historic squad.
After retiring in 2006, Bernard Diomède built a coaching career within the French setup. He has managed several youth national sides, including the Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 teams.
Alain Boghossian — From Squad Midfielder To Federation Roles
Alain Boghossian started once at the 1998 World Cup and also came off the bench on three occasions, including in the final. He was part of a strong France midfield group even if he was not one of its headline names.
Following retirement in 2003, Alain Boghossian worked in coaching and administration. His later roles included serving as an assistant coach with France and working inside the French Football Federation’s technical structure.
Emmanuel Petit — Final Goalscorer And High-Profile Broadcaster
Emmanuel Petit played in all but one of France’s matches at the 1998 World Cup and produced one of the final’s decisive moments with a goal against Brazil. He also provided an assist in that match.
After a club career that included Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea, Emmanuel Petit moved into media work. He is now a prominent pundit and is also linked with the Homeless World Cup movement.
Christian Karembeu — Still Active In The Game
Christian Karembeu played an important supporting role in France’s 1998 squad and later finished his international career with 53 caps. His club career took him across France, Spain, England and Greece, with two Champions League titles at Real Madrid.
Since retiring, Christian Karembeu has remained close to football through punditry and operational work. He has also fronted travel shows and campaigned on a range of human-rights issues.
Thierry Henry — France’s Top Scorer In 1998 And A TV Mainstay
Thierry Henry finished as France’s leading scorer at the 1998 World Cup with three goals, even though he was only 20 at the time and did not start the final. It was the first major sign of a career that would later define both Arsenal and the Premier League era.
Henry has since managed Monaco, CF Montréal and France’s Olympic side for the 2024 Games. Today, Thierry Henry is best known in global football coverage as a television pundit.
Stéphane Guivarc’h — World Cup Winner Now Living Away From The Spotlight
Stéphane Guivarc’h played six times during the 1998 World Cup and ended his France career with only 14 appearances in total. His international record remained modest despite being part of the title-winning side.
After retiring in 2002 following spells that included Newcastle United and Rangers, Stéphane Guivarc’h returned to Concarneau. He now works as a swimming pool salesman.
David Trezeguet — Youngest Squad Member And Later FIFA Ambassador
David Trezeguet was the youngest player in France’s 1998 squad and featured in all but one match during the tournament. He scored once and provided two assists despite not playing in the final.
Trezeguet later earned 71 caps and scored 34 goals for France before ending his international career in 2008. He is now a FIFA ambassador and has also held operational positions with former clubs including Juventus and River Plate.
Christophe Dugarry — Quiet Life After A Varied Career
Christophe Dugarry scored in France’s opening game of the 1998 World Cup against South Africa and finished his international career with 55 caps and eight goals. He is also remembered in England for a brief but memorable spell at Birmingham City.
After retiring, Christophe Dugarry moved into work as a sports consultant. He now lives a relatively quiet life in Morocco.
Aimé Jacquet — The Coach Who Walked Away At The Peak
Aimé Jacquet led France to the first World Cup title in the country’s history and stepped down immediately after the triumph in 1998. He never returned to club or international management.
Instead, Aimé Jacquet became technical director of French football and served in that role from August 1998 until retiring in December 2006. His place in French football history was secured long before that chapter ended.
France’s 1998 World Cup winners remain one of the most influential squads of the modern era. Some, like Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, stayed at the top of football’s public life, while others took quieter routes after retirement. Together, they remain tied to a tournament run that changed French football permanently.