Which City Hosted the 1998 World Cup Final?
Quick answer: Saint-Denis (Greater Paris) at the Stade de France — not central Paris. France beat Brazil 3-0 on 12 July 1998.
If you searched "which city hosted the 1998 world cup final", the answer is Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris where the Stade de France was built for France 98. France beat Brazil 3-0 to win their first World Cup title on home soil, with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice from headers in the first half.
For the full tournament story, see the World Cup 1998 edition page and our guide to all World Cup finals.
Quick Answer: Where Was the 1998 Final?
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| City | Saint-Denis, France |
| Stadium | Stade de France |
| Date | 12 July 1998 |
| Champion | France |
| Runner-up | Brazil |
| Final score | France 3-0 Brazil |
| Attendance | Approximately 80,000 |
Saint-Denis became one of the most searched host cities in World Cup history because the final combined home advantage, a star-studded Brazil side and a French team on the rise.
Match Summary
France controlled the tactical battle. Brazil, missing Ronaldo's full impact amid pre-match controversy, struggled to create clear chances against a disciplined French block. Zidane headed in corners in the 27th and 45th minutes. Emmanuel Petit added a third goal in stoppage time to seal the win.
| Team | Manager | Key players |
|---|---|---|
| France | Aimé Jacquet | Zidane, Deschamps, Thuram, Barthez |
| Brazil | Mário Zagallo / Zagallo era staff | Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu |
The final is remembered as much for the pre-match Ronaldo health storyline as for Zidane's headers, but on the pitch France were clearly superior.
Why Saint-Denis and Stade de France Matter
The Stade de France was built for the tournament and became the centerpiece of France 98. It hosted the opening match, the semi-final (France vs Croatia) and the final. Hosting the decider in a purpose-built national stadium amplified the home-nation narrative.
For stadium history across all tournaments, visit the World Cup stadiums ranking.
1998 Final in World Cup History
France's win ended Brazil's quest to repeat as champions and gave Les Bleus their first title. It launched a generation that would reach another final in 2006 and remain a global power through 2018 and 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city hosted the 1998 World Cup final?
Saint-Denis, in the Paris suburbs, at the Stade de France.
which city hosted the 1998 world cup final
Saint-Denis (Greater Paris), Stade de France.
which city hosted 1998 world cup final
Saint-Denis — not central Paris.
Who won the 1998 World Cup final?
France defeated Brazil 3-0.
Who scored in the 1998 World Cup final?
Zinedine Zidane scored twice and Emmanuel Petit added the third goal.
Was the 1998 final played in Paris?
The stadium is in Saint-Denis, which is part of Greater Paris.