The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the sixteenth FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host at the 48th FIFA Congress by FIFA Executive Committee in Zürich on 1 July 1992.

As was the case four years previously, Morocco were outbid to host the tournament, they accrued seven votes. France received the necessary majority of twelve votes. Switzerland were the third bidder but they failed to meet FIFA's necessary requirements.

The Draw

The Build-Up

31 May: Glenn Hoddle announced his 22-man squad for the World Cup at their Spanish training camp in La Manga, following a tournament in Casablanca. Paul Gascoigne's omission was the big news.

9 June: The England squad flew from Heathrow to their French base near La Baule, in Brittany, stopping off at Caen to play a secretive warm-up game, a 1-0 victory against a local reserve side, before flying on to Saint-Nazaire.

"Travel and hotels are already booked for England's appearance in the final on July 12...
"That's not arrogance, that's just professionalism. You've got to make the players think that way. We won't be going to France with any fear. I also think we're better prepared than any England squad going into a finals." - Glenn Hoddle, The Guardian

12 June: The players had a golf day, whilst Geoff Hurst was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

"ENGLAND PUT DOWN SOLID FOUNDATIONS
"...the calm, controlled manner of their victory...suggested there may be much more to come.
"...this victory has raised hopes that they can win the group and avoid Argentina in the second round.
"One swallow does not make a summer," Hoddle, the coach, said afterwards.
"...it is pretty calm in the dressing-room and we are already thinking and talking about the next game." - The Times, 16 June 1998

"Sol Campbell 9/10 - A magnificent first-half display...
"Paul Scholes 9/10 - A star in the making.
"Graeme Le Saux 9/10 - Possibly his best game for England." - Player Ratings, Daily Express, 16 June 1998

"England need worry no longer, they have found their new Paul Gascoigne in the shape of pocket dynamo and ginger spice, Paul Scholes.
"But overall, it was the best start England have made to a World Cup Finals since 1982 and the omens look good for the rest of the competition." - Shoot!

"We celebrated victory with quite a few drinks...of coke and orange that is!" - Gareth Southgate

"ENGLAND'S WORLD TURNS UPSIDE DOWN
"Undone by two men who are regarded as little more than journeymen of the FA Carling Premiership...
"...heartbreaking but deserved defeat...
"England were clearly outplayed and outclassed for long periods of the game..." - The Times, 23 June

"Le Saux's lame last-ditch challenge on Petrescu which led to the decisive second Romanian goal. A half-hearted effort if ever there were one." - Shoot! Cock-up of the Match

"This was a crushing disappointment. The way we defended was a bitter pill to swallow and we handed them both goals on a plate. It only takes a split-second to lose a game like that, and although we are disappointed with the defeat, we can take confidence from the character we showed to get back into the game." - Glenn Hoddle

"Now Owen's scored, there's going to be only one winner here." - Kevin Keegan, on ITV

"ENGLAND BEGIN TO BELIEVE
"...Beckham...ran the show from the heart of midfield...
"...Beckham...and Michael Owen...injected youth and optimism and urgency into a side that seemed to be stagnating.
"Suddenly...this seemed like a team that could score against anyone...
"I'm absolutely delighted with that performance," Hoddle said. "We really could have won by four or five goals..." - The Times, 27 June

"From wizened bar-room experts, to those who discovered the game when Gazza blubbed, and small boys not long out of short trousers, the message had been the same. Pick Owen and Beckham...and look what happened when he did." - Daily Express, 27 June

"It is no longer a question of David Beckham or Darren Anderton. Both are in the England side to stay judging by their five-star performances..." - Shoot!