The 1998 FIFA World Cup took place in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France, after a 60-year absence, became the third country to host the tournament for a second time. The World Cup finals expanded for the second time from 24 to 32 teams. It obviously implied more opportunities for teams from Africa, Asia, and North America, Central America and Caribbean. This was now bigger than ever before. Bigger in different aspects: audience, prestige, importance, and popularity.  32 teams from 5 confederations participated in the final tournament: 15 from Europe (UEFA), 5 from South America (CONMEBOL), 3 from North America, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF), 5 from Africa (CAF), and 4 from Asia (AFC). Four teams made their first World Cup presentation (Croatia, Jamaica, Japan, and South Africa).

The first round had some facts worth noting. In Group A, Brazil and Norway advanced to the knockout stage. The last group matches in each group were played at the same time. Morocco looked like they would take second place, because they were beating Scotland while Brazil were beating Norway. However, in football anything can change at any time. Norway scored twice in the last seven minutes of play to get an improbable 2-1 victory and take the second qualifying place. Morocco had to go home. Brazil had a 21-years-old exceptional player in their team: Ronaldo. He was the two-time reigning FIFA world player of the year, and the award's youngest winner. He won it at the age of 20 in 1996. Italy topped Group B ahead of Chile. Chile drew all three of their matches, but it was enough for them to qualify in second place and advance with a record-low three points. France and Denmark advanced to the round of 16 in Group C. Denmark qualified in second place, despite losing their final game to France. Zinedine Zidane, the France star, was sent-off in the last game of the group and the French would have to play without their playmaker in the second round. A real shame! Nigeria and Paraguay progressed in Group D. The highest profile casualties were Spain, who began losing to Nigeria and drawing with Paraguay. In the final game Spain got their first victory after scoring six against Bulgaria, but it was not enough. Spain finished in the third place and had to go home early. In Group E, The Netherlands and Mexico started well and advanced to the knockout stage. Belgium drew all three of their matches, but it was not enough to advance to the following stage. Germany and Yugoslavia progressed smoothly in Group F. Iran and United States probably played the most politically charged game in World Cup history. Iran defeated United States 2-1; however, both were sent home early. Romania topped Group G ahead of England. Romania had beaten England 2-1 in Toulouse, thanks to a goal in the 90th minute from Petrescu.  Argentina and Croatia started well in Group H, and advanced to the knockout stage. In the last game, Argentina beat Croatia to take the first place. France and Argentina were the only two teams to emerge from the group phase with perfect records.

The round of 16 brought few shocks. Brazil comfortably defeated Chile 4-1, Italy beat Norway 1-0, and Nigeria was defeated by Denmark by a devastating 4-1. France was fortunate enough to beat Paraguay after extra time. The match remained goalless after regular time, and then France won 1-0 thanks to a golden goal in the 114th minute from Laurent Blanc. This was the first golden goal in World Cups' history. The Netherlands suffered more than necessary to beat Yugoslavia 2-1, thanks to a goal in the minute 92th from Edward Davis. Mexico were 15 minutes away from overcoming Germany, but the Germans clawed back from a goal down and ended up winning 2-1. The debutant Croatia defeated Romania 1-0. In the last match of the round of 16 and in one of the best matches of the tournament, Argentina defeated England 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out. Argentina is regarded in England as one of the major rivals of the English football team, along with such countries as Germany. The rivalry is also keenly felt in Argentina, locally described as a Clásico, where only matches against Brazil or Uruguay carry a greater significance in popular perception. Two longtime rivals, in a true classic, face to face in Saint Etienne. The match itself was plenty of emotions. Two penalties in the first minutes (one for each side), David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone, and Sol Campbell made the winning goal, but it was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. The match ended tied 2-2 after extra time, and penalties had to decide who would advance to the quarter-finals. David Batty missed the crucial penalty kick and English interest in the world cup was over.

The quarter-finals were exciting for different reasons. Italy faced the hosts France in Saint-Denis. The match remained goalless after extra time, and the French won 4-3 on penalties. Brazil defeated Denmark 3-2 in another very interesting game. The Netherlands were fortunate enough to beat Argentina 2-1, thanks to an exquisite goal in the 89th minute from the Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp. Goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Michael Owen against Argentina were the two best goals of the 1998 World Cup. Finally, Croatia, the biggest surprise of the tournament, defeated Germany by a devastating 3-0. Davor Suker led Croatia to their first ever semi-final.

The first semi-final faced Brazil, the reigning champion and the favorites, against the Netherlands. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, and then Brazilian side went on to win 4-2 in a penalty shootout.  The other semi-final was contested by the hosts France, and the surprise of the tournament, the recently-formed Croatia. France beat Croatia 2-1 in regular time. Croatia had the consolation prize after beating in the third-place match to the Netherlands 2-1.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup Final was contested at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, before a crowd of 80,000 followers, for Brazil, the reigning champion, led by Ronaldo and Rivaldo, and the host nation France, led by Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo suffered convulsion the night before the game and was left off the teamsheet, only to reappear just in time for kick-off. This was one of the biggest mysteries in the World Cups' history. One fact is clear: Ronaldo was not fit to play and Brazil paid the consequences. France finally showed the attacking firepower they had not produced in their previous games and defeated Brazil by a convincing 3-0, with two goals of their playmaker and super-star Zidane. France got their first World Cup title, becoming the sixth national team after Uruguay, Italy, England, West Germany and Argentina to win the World Cup on their home soil. This was also the worst defeat of Brazil since 1930. The Avenue des Champs-Elysées, probably the most famous avenue in the world, attracted over a million French, who danced all night celebrating the great victory of France: Their first World Cup title.

The top scorer (Golden Shoe) of the tournament was Davor Šuker of Croatia, who would go on to score six goals. Ronaldo of Brazil had the honor of being elected the best player (Golden Ball) of the tournament. Michel Owen of England was elected Best Young Player. Fabien Barthez of France was elected best goalkeeper (Yashin Award). England, on the other hand, received the FIFA Fair Play Award, and France received the FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team. The names that people probably remember from those times are: