Le Foot en France

Soccer has been a popular sports in France since 1880. Major cities, such as Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Paris, and Lille, have their own professional soccer teams. Amateur teams for both men and women, and for all ages, exist in communities large and small. Schools in France do not organize competitions for soccer or any other sport. Young people can begin playing competitively at age 14. Soccer also has the largest television following of any sport in France. Some 21 million viewers tuned in to watch the last Coupe du Monde (or World Cup) finals.

Le Foot en France

Soccer has been a popular sports in France since 1880. Major cities, such as Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Paris, and Lille, have their own professional soccer teams. Amateur teams for both men and women, and for all ages, exist in communities large and small. Schools in France do not organize competitions for soccer or any other sport. Young people can begin playing competitively at age 14. Soccer also has the largest television following of any sport in France. Some 21 million viewers tuned in to watch the last Coupe du Monde (or World Cup) finals.

Les Clubs de Foot

Two soccer teams have ruled the sport in France: the Olympique Lyonnais, from the city of Lyon, and the national French team, nicknamed Les Bleus. The Olympique Lyonnais have gained fame by dominating their national league (Ligue 1) in recent years while Les Bleus have performed well internationally, winning the World Cup in 1998 and coming in second place in 2006. Les Bleues also won the European Championship in 1984 and 2000. France is one of only seven countries that have won the World Cup in soccer since the tournament began in 1930.

Les Clubs de Foot

Two soccer teams have ruled the sport in France: the Olympique Lyonnais, from the city of Lyon, and the national French team, nicknamed Les Bleus. The Olympique Lyonnais have gained fame by dominating their national league (Ligue 1) in recent years while Les Bleus have performed well internationally, winning the World Cup in 1998 and coming in second place in 2006. Les Bleues also won the European Championship in 1984 and 2000. France is one of only seven countries that have won the World Cup in soccer since the tournament began in 1930.

Les Meilleurs Joueur de Foot

Michel Platini, Eric Cantona, Zinédine Zidane, Thierry Henry, and Franck Ribéry are considered some of France's most outstanding players in recent years. Ribéry is considered the best French player today and attracts thousands of fans wherever he plays. (He currently is a professional soccer player in Germany.) An athlete known for his speed and technique, he scored the fastest goal ever, after only thirteen seconds of play. In both league and international teams, Ribéry often scores the deciding goal that takes his team to victory.