FIFA World Cup 1998: When the 1994 US World Cup ended, football was at the threshold of a new era. It is no longer just a game but has become the biggest platform for entertainment industry and advertising. The tremendous viewership in America convinced FIFA that football was now truly a world game. But the more the popularity increased, the more tough the competition became.
When the scope of the World Cup became bigger
The 1998 World Cup was a picture of this changing era. For the first time, not 24 but 32 teams played. FIFA gave more space to Asia, Africa and North America. This was not just expansion but a recognition that football talent was no longer limited to Europe and South America. This expansion gave countries like South Africa, Japan, Jamaica and Croatia the opportunity to play the World Cup for the first time.
Black-Blanc-Beur: A team that became the identity of the entire country
The World Cup was hosted by France, which was one of the most influential powers in Europe. But this World Cup was not just a matter of sport, it was also a celebration of the social identity of modern France. The French team had players of African, Arab and European origin together. This team was affectionately called ‘Blac-Blanc-Beur’, meaning people of black, white and Arab origin. Amidst increasing racism, this team became the biggest face of unity of the country.
Ronaldo: the name everyone was afraid of
The biggest attraction before the tournament was Brazil. The 1994 champions were looking even stronger and they had Ronaldo, who was considered the most skilled player in the world at the time. His speed, dribbling and hunger to score goals was amazing. Many experts believed that he could become the next king after Pele and Maradona.
Zidane: The cool mind who changed the field
On the other hand, host France had a player with a calm nature. Which was gradually attracting everyone’s attention. He did not speak much, stayed away from controversies, but the pace of the game changed as soon as the ball came to his feet. The name was Zinedine Zidane. The boy of Algerian origin grew up in ordinary areas of France. His strength was not speed but understanding. He would read the game before others.
Shining stories of the tournament
The World Cup started and new stories started emerging. Nigeria showed a brilliant game on behalf of Africa. In the Argentina-England match, just eighteen year old Michael Owen scored a goal which shocked the whole world. With this a new star was also born. In the same match, England’s David Beckham got a red card for kicking Argentina’s Simeone. After which he had to face anger all over England. In the knockout round, France’s Laurent Blanc scored the first ‘golden goal’ in World Cup history in the 114th minute against Paraguay.
France was advancing slowly. Its strong defence, balanced midfield and Zidane at the center of the entire campaign. In a match against Saudi Arabia, he received a red card and a two-match ban for stepping on an opposing player, but the team remained confident in him.
Semifinals: Shootout and the shine of a small country
Brazil faced the Netherlands in the semi-finals. It was the most exciting match of the tournament which went to a penalty shootout and Brazil won. France defeated Croatia to reach the final. This was Croatia’s first World Cup and they played brilliantly. Striker Davor Shuker won the Golden Boot after scoring 6 goals and propelled his small country to third place on the world football map.
That mysterious incident before the final
12 July 1998. Stade de France stadium in Paris. Final match, France vs Brazil i.e. Zidane vs Ronaldo. A few hours before the match, a shocking news came that Ronaldo’s health had deteriorated. It was said that he had suffered a stroke. His name was not in the initial team list and then suddenly it came back. The media and fans were all confused and till date it is not completely clear what actually happened.
It is said that on the afternoon of the match, Ronaldo suddenly fainted in Romario’s room and foam started coming out of his mouth. The doctor took him to the hospital. But coach Zagallo had to bow down to the pressure of sponsors and Ronaldo’s insistence on playing himself and he was sent straight onto the field without any warm-up.
Final: Two headers that changed history
When the match started, it was clearly visible that Ronaldo was not in his usual form. France was fully prepared. In the first half, Zidane scored two goals with brilliant headers from two corners. The stadium erupted with joy. Brazil was stunned. The player who was expected to score the goal, Zidane, was now scoring the goal himself. With his considered weak heading technique.
Brazil tried to make a comeback in the second half but the French defense stood firm. Emmanuel Petit scored the third goal in the last moments. The score was 3-0. It was not just a victory but a declaration.
that night in paris
France became world champion for the first time. Millions of people came out on the streets of Paris. This victory was not just a sporting achievement but also became a symbol of the multicultural success of modern France. Zidane became a national hero. A boy of Algerian origin had now become France’s biggest sporting identity. ‘Zizu for President’ was written along with his photo on the Arc de Triomphe. This victory became the most emotional moment in the social history of France.
what was left next
The 1998 World Cup is historic for many reasons, including being the first 32-team World Cup, Zidane’s arrival on the world stage, the unsolved mystery of Ronaldo, and proving that the host nation can also win in the modern era.
But the most interesting part of this story was yet to come. This defeat was not Ronaldo’s last. Four years later they will return, stronger than ever, more dangerous than ever, with a new generation of Brazilians. And the next World Cup to be played on Asian soil will change the geography of football forever.