Which World Cup gave France their best shirt? | OneFootball

A century of France World Cup kits, from cotton blues to modern minimalism, and the campaigns that defined them.

L'Équipe notes that since 1930, ahead of 2026 in the Americas, France have qualified 16 times and won in 1998 and 2018.

Early editions were plain, blue at home and white away. In 1958 a buttoned collar and red socks framed third place, Fontaine scoring 13, a record.

1966 pared back to a gold cockerel and deep V in tricolour, but France fell in the group. By 1978 Adidas’s three stripes had arrived, yet the exit was early.

1982 mixed banded sleeves with a white polo collar, France finishing fourth after a semi-final shootout loss to West Germany. In 1986 a new shoulder pattern preceded third place, Belgium beaten 4-2 in extra time.

The 1998 shirt became iconic, deep blue with a bold red band and fine white lines, as the hosts lifted the trophy by beating Brazil 3-0.

A stripped-back blue returned in 2002, the holders exiting in the groups. In 2006 finer detailing accompanied a run to the final before Italy won on penalties, after France beat Spain, Brazil and Portugal.

In 2018 a deep-blue look accompanied a second world title, Croatia beaten 4-2 in the final. In 2022 midnight blue with gold accents took France to the final, Argentina winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

For 2026, Nike’s away shirt honours the Statue of Liberty, marking links with co-hosts the United States, with Mexico and Canada.

Source: L'Équipe