The success of the France national team is closely tied to the strength of French club football. Ligue 1 provides a stage for young talents and a base for the country’s football culture.
World Cup glory
France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998 and again in 2018. Both squads included players who had come through French clubs and academies.
A diverse talent pool
Players from the suburbs of Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, many with roots in different parts of the world, have helped to make the national team one of the most exciting sides in football.
The export business
Ligue 1 clubs often sell their best players to bigger leagues, and that has become an important part of their business model.