France at the Euros: All-time results, wins, record at UEFA European Championship

Feargal Brennan

France at the Euros: All-time results, wins, record at UEFA European Championship image

France are amongst the leading contenders to win Euro 2024 after Didier Deschamps' side stormed through qualification unbeaten to book their spot in Germany.

Les Bleus have found themselves experiencing final joy and heartbreak in their previous three major tournament appearances, with their 2022 World Cup final loss to Argentina arguably the greatest showpiece game in the tournament's distinguished history.

Deschamps' charges were unable to defend the world crown they secured in Russia in 2018 and they have also fallen short on the European stage in recent years.

Defeat to Portugal in the 2016 European Championship final on home soil was a bitter blow, and they bowed out in the Round of 16 in 2020 after a shock penalty-shootout loss to Switzerland.

Yet they are among the clear leading lights for the trophy in Germany, after winning seven and drawing one of their eight qualifying games, scoring 29 goals and conceding just three, two of which came in their final dead-rubber match against Greece.

Their progress to the knockout rounds, though, was hardly as smooth as expected, with Kylian Mbappe suffering a broken nose in their opening group game against Austria, before returning to score his first European Championship goal in the final group 1-1 draw with Poland that meant Les Bleus surprisingly finished second in the pool.

They beat Belgium in the Round of 16 before edging a penalty shootout win over Portugal in the quarterfinals.

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How many times have France won the Euros?

France have won the European Championship title twice in their history, with only Spain and Germany winning more (three times each).

Michel Platini inspired hosts France to glory in their first title win in 1984 after they had failed to qualify for the previous five tournaments. They beat Spain 2-0 in the final in Paris.

However, they struggled to replicate that result prior to the dominance of Les Bleus in the late 1990s.

Aime Jacquet's side won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, led by the genius of Zinedine Zidane, before his replacement Roger Lemerre guided the team to European glory over Italy two years later.

France looked set to continue their strong record as tournament hosts in 2016, but despite the early exit of an injured Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal dug deep to seal a shock final win at the Stade de France.

Last time, they were again among the favorites before that surprise penalty shootout loss to Switzerland, following a 3-3 draw in Bucharest.

France European Championship results

France have qualified for the past eight European Championships since 1992 with two final appearances and one title in that run.

YearHostWinsDraws*LossesGoals ScoredGoals Conceded
1960France00247
1984France500144
1992Sweden02123
1996England23052
2000Belgium/Netherlands501137
2004Portugal21174
2008Austria/Switzerland01216
2012Poland/Ukraine11235
2016France511135
2020Europe13076
2024Germany23031

*Draws include knockout-stage games decided by penalty shootouts level after 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.

France European Championship record

YearHostStage ReachedEliminated By
1960FranceSemifinalYugoslavia
1964SpainDid not qualify
1968ItalyDid not qualify
1972BelgiumDid not qualify
1976YugoslaviaDid not qualify
1980ItalyDid not qualify
1984FranceChampions
1988West GermanyDid not qualify
1992SwedenGroup StageSweden/Denmark
1996EnglandSemifinalCzech Republic
2000Belgium/NetherlandsChampions
2004PortugalQuarterfinalsGreece
2008Austria/SwitzerlandGroup StageNetherlands/Italy
2012Poland/UkraineQuarterfinalSpain
2016FranceRunners UpPortugal
2020EuropeRound of 16Switzerland

How did France qualify for Euro 2024?

France were rarely forced out of second gear in qualifying despite being drawn in a tough group alongside the Netherlands, Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Convincing wins over Ronald Koeman's Oranje were the standout results, alongside gritty showings against Greece and Ireland and a remarkable 14-0 defeat of Gibraltar. They won every game until a 2-2 draw with Greece on the final matchday, when their place as group winners was already assured.

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.