# File 16: France, 1998

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-world-cup-files-7854774/file-16-france-1998
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-world-cup-files-7854774/file-16-france-1998.md
Podcast: [The World Cup Files](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-world-cup-files-7854774)
Published: 2026-06-27T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ails-and-the-cheeks/episodes/File-16-France--1998-e3l4dpb
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/11139a58c/podcast/play/121828587/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-5-22%2Feeb70ea8-6e3d-44e8-0cf2-eaaafdd1aa90.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-world-cup-files-7854774/episodes/file-16-france-1998
Duration seconds: 1205

## Resource

In our sixteenth file, we travel to France, 1998 — where new nations emerged, old powers collided, and the host country dared to dream. For the first time, 32 teams arrived to compete for football’s greatest prize. New nations made their mark, underdogs produced unforgettable shocks, and Croatia announced themselves to the world with a remarkable run. Brazil returned as defending champions, led by the brilliant Ronaldo — but the hosts had a gifted team of their own and a nation beginning to believe. In Episode 16: France 1998 , we uncover how the World Cup expanded into a truly global tournament, how controversy and mystery surrounded Brazil before the final, and how Zinedine Zidane inspired France to its first world title on home soil. Strap in. History never played it safe.

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## Transcript

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