Christian Karembeu lifted the trophy in 1998 with a France side captained by Didier Deschamps
Former Real Madrid midfielder reflects on that all-conquering campaign
Hopes Deschamps can conclude his tenure by steering the 2018 winners to their third title
Almost three decades on, Christian Karembeu continues to cherish the memory of bringing around 50 people from New Caledonia, his homeland, to mainland France for the 1998 FIFA World Cup™.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA, the 53-cap former midfielder reflected on becoming a world champion and the remarkable story of how his mother disappeared for several hours in the aftermath of France’s 3-0 final win over Brazil.
He also looked back on France’s failure to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ – a "disaster" he watched unfold from afar while serving a six-month suspension after pushing a referee in the 1992/93 Coupe de France final.
Karembeu also shared his impressions of Didier Deschamps, his friend, ex-Nantes team-mate and World Cup-winning captain, who the former Real Madrid midfielder is backing to guide Les Bleus to glory again at this year’s global showpiece.
With Deschamps bidding to bow out with a bang, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Co will get their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign under way against Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, 16 June.
FIFA: France will take part in World Cup 2026 in North America, having missed out on qualification for USA 1994. What was that disappointment like for you at the time?
Christian Karembeu: It was hard to take. I’d played in the qualifying matches, apart from the last two, because I was suspended by the French FA. I had to watch from afar, hoping to rejoin the team once they’d secured qualification for the tournament in the United States. The 2-1 loss to Bulgaria in the final match is the one people remember, but the 3-2 home defeat by Israel was also a big blow to our hopes of qualifying. It was a disaster – I was disappointed with the way we performed in those two matches. But with every failure, there’s always a chance to bounce back. Aime Jacquet drew lessons from that setback and went on to build a team that could challenge at EURO 1996 and the 1998 World Cup.
After your suspension, Jacquet called you back up to the France squad. What did that return mean to you?
Deep down, I always believed I’d make a return. That was my mindset: sooner or later, I’d come back, and I’d do everything I could to make it happen. Fortunately for me, I was getting plenty of minutes at Real Madrid and we won the [1997/98] Champions League. Everything changed after that. When I returned, I felt like myself again.
You were finally going to take part in a World Cup – and on home soil too. What memories stand out?
I remember bringing around 50 members of my family over from New Caledonia; they didn’t just watch the World Cup – they were in the thick of the action. They went to the stadium, to the hotels and even to the French training base at Clairefontaine. I’d hired a bus for them so they could follow us wherever we went. I know it was a wonderful experience for my whole family – and becoming world champions was the icing on the cake! All my family left with unforgettable memories.
Performances and trophies are part and parcel of life as an elite athlete, but being able to show my loved ones what the World Cup is all about… That’s my greatest memory: sharing that side of my life as an elite athlete with my family. Of course, winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of any player’s career, but having my family there with me in France is a memory that’ll stay with me forever.
Do you have a story from that World Cup that stands out?
Picture this – at half-time in the final, my mother left the stadium and said to the other family members there, ‘It’s over, they’re going to win! We’re going to have tea with my sister. When the match finishes, come and pick us up from the cafe.’ But she ended up getting lost in Saint-Denis. Despite the victory, I was worried after the final whistle because my brother had called to say he couldn’t find my mother.
I spent the whole journey from the Stade de France to Clairefontaine on the phone to my family, trying to get hold of my mum. Eventually, the cafe owner called me and said: ‘Mr Karembeu, is that you? Excuse me, your mother is right here, charging her phone.’ That’s how I managed to track down my mum and send my family to pick her up!
1998 also became synonymous with celebrating the diverse nature of Les Bleus' squad. What did it mean to you to be part of a team that represented France in that way?
Even at Nantes, we had players from all over the world. There was Japhet N’Doram, Jorge Burruchaga, me, Claude Makelele, Eddy Capron, David Marraud, Dominique Casagrande… We were from everywhere. It was the same with the France team. We were all French, but from many different backgrounds, from Didier Deschamps to Marcel Desailly, Zinedine Zidane, Christophe Dugarry, Lilian Thuram, Thierry Henry, myself and so many others.
Of course, we represented France in all its cultural, ethnic and geographical diversity – we were a reflection of French society. It was a source of pride to know that this diversity had given something to France: a first World Cup title, and then a second. That’s something no-one can ever take away from us.
You mentioned Didier Deschamps. What kind of player and person is he?
Didier was already very advanced for his age at Nantes. By the age of 15 or 16, he was already captaining the senior side. He’s very intelligent and clearly charismatic – a true leader. You can see that in the way he’s led France, Juventus, Marseille and Monaco: wherever he’s gone, success has followed. His career has been nothing short of remarkable.
I’d love to see Didier end his time with France on a high. I know it’ll be difficult, but he’s there to finish strongly and add another memorable chapter to France’s history. He’s the true custodian of France’s footballing history, having been instrumental in both World Cup triumphs – I believe he’ll get his hat-trick. He’s announced that this will be his last World Cup, so it’d be fitting for him to sign off with the greatest prize of all: another title.
Could you see yourself playing in this France team under Deschamps?
Yes, I’d really be up for that! But Didier wouldn’t even call me up! It’s true that it’d be great to play with these gifted players, who play with such pace going forward. When I was at Nantes, things were already quick. On second thoughts, no – these kids are too quick for me!