From the roar of a home crowd in 1998 to the nerve‐wracking finals in 2022, France’s journey in international football is a saga of peaks, heartbreaks, reinventions—and silverware. But when fans ask how many trophies has France won, the answer isn’t as simple as tallying medals. Which titles “count”? Are we counting friendly tournaments? Only major FIFA/UEFA competitions? Below, AngGoal will take you on a deep dive into France’s trophy cabinet, the debates around what matters, and what makes Les Bleus a modern giant.
What counts as a “trophy” in national team football
Before we start counting, a key question: what do we include when we speak of “trophies”? For national teams, most serious fans and historians focus on major competitive titles—FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, Confederations Cup, UEFA Nations League, and similar intercontinental trophies. Friendly cups and invitational tournaments (e.g. small friendlies, exhibition cups) are often seen as bonus items, not core.
When doing this exercise, we will:
- Emphasize official senior men’s titles recognized by FIFA/UEFA or equivalent international bodies
- Note other trophies (e.g. intercontinental, invitational) in a secondary list
- Exclude youth titles, women’s titles, and club trophies (France’s national team, not clubs)
With that in mind, let’s begin the tally.
France’s major international trophy haul
Below is a breakdown of France’s key senior men’s trophies. Then we’ll aggregate.
|
Competition |
Titles Won |
Years / Notes |
|
FIFA World Cup |
2 |
1998, 2018 |
|
UEFA European Championship |
2 |
1984, 2000 edia]) |
|
UEFA Nations League |
1 |
2020-21 season |
|
FIFA Confederations Cup |
2 |
2001, 2003 |
|
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions (Artemio Franchi / Finalissima style) |
1 |
1985 |
If we sum just those, the total is:
2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 8 major trophies
Many sources refer to France as having eight major trophies in the senior men’s category.
Other recognized achievements and minor trophies
Beyond the core trophies, France also holds a few additional honors that merit mention:
- Olympic Games (football): Gold medal in 1984 (often considered under Olympic football rather than “senior FIFA titles”)
- Tournoi de France, Kirin Cup, Hassan II Trophy, etc.: various invitational or friendly tournaments
If you include those, the tally grows slightly, but most football historians still emphasize the core eight.
Era by era: When France won those trophies
Understanding how France built up to eight trophies requires tracing their golden decades.
1980s: First glints of glory
- Euro 1984: France won the European Championship on home soil, with Michel Platini’s leadership cementing his legend.
- Intercontinental trophy 1985: Known as the Artemio Franchi Trophy (or predecessor to the Finalissima), France defeated Uruguay to claim this intercontinental title.
Late 1990s / early 2000s: The “Golden Generation” surge
- World Cup 1998: On home soil, France beat Brazil 3–0 in the final—iconic moment in their history.
- Euro 2000: Just two years later, Les Bleus lifted the European Championship again, defeating Italy with the “golden goal.”
- Confederations Cups: France won in 2001 and 2003—prestigious global events pitting champions.
2018 and beyond: Modern consolidation
- World Cup 2018: Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Didier Deschamps led France back to the top, conquering Croatia in the final.
- UEFA Nations League 2020-21: By winning this relatively young competition, France became the first European team to hold all major continental trophies (Euro, Nations League).
Comparison: How France stacks up among footballing nations
Eight major trophies is a serious tally—and it puts France in the up.
- Some analyses list France, Germany, and others as top European nations with around eight trophies.
- Of course, countries like Brazil and Argentina might outcount France once South American achievements are added in. But focusing on major FIFA/UEFA titles, France is among the elite.
This makes how many trophies has France won not just a trivia question—but a reflection of sustained excellence across decades.
Why some counts vary (and traps to avoid)
When reading different sources, you may come across slightly different trophy counts. Here are common reasons:
- Inclusive vs exclusive counting – Some include Olympic gold, invitational cups, or youth titles. Others stick strictly to senior FIFA/UEFA trophies.
- Discontinuedompetitions – Competitions like the Confederations Cup no longer exist, so some newer summaries skip them.
- Intercontinental / Finalissima changes – The Artemio Franchi Trophy, now revived in a different guise as Finalissima, may or may not be included consistently.
- Updates & recency – With football, new tournaments or revivals (like Nations League) can shift the count, so always check the publication date.
Because of these variables, it’s wise to specify: “as of 2025, France has won eight major senior men’s international trophies.”
Quick answer in one line
France has won 8 major senior men’s international trophies—2 World Cups, 2 European Championships, 1 UEFA Nations League, 2 FIFA Confederations Cups, and 1 intercontinental Cup.
Beyond trophies: records, legends, and legacy
Trophies tell one part of the story. To appreciate France’s stature, consider:
- Legendary players: Zidane, Platini, Mbappé, Desailly—the names run deep.
- Consistency at major tournaments: Finals in 2006, 2016, 2022 show France rarely stays silent.
- Youth development & depth: The French system consistently produces stars.
- First European team to win every senior competition: after Nations League 2021, France became the only European nation to win every recognized senior UEFA/FIFA competition.
These elements elevate the eight trophies from “just a number” to the backbone of a footballing powerhouse.
Final Thoughts
How many trophies has France won? As of now, when focusing on official senior men’s international titles, the answer is eight. But that number is more than a statistic—it reflects eras of brilliance, dramatic comebacks, and the enduring legacy of Les Bleus.
If you’re curious about France’s individual player records, comparisons with other countries, or even a breakdown including youth or women’s titles, AngGoal has you covered—just ask!
