France in the UEFA Nations League

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The UEFA Nations League is a biennial international football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the member associations of UEFA, the sport's European governing body. The first season began in September 2018, consisting of four groups in each of the four leagues ranked by UEFA coefficient of each country.

Contents

France has been on the highest level of the competition, in League A, since the beginning of this tournament. In their first season, they finished second in Group A1, behind the Netherlands but ahead of Germany. In the following edition, France advanced to the Finals for the first time; after winning Group A3, they went on to beat Belgium in the semi-finals and then Spain in the final, making France the first ever European nation to win the World Cup, the European Championship and the Nations League. France reached the Finals for a second time in 2025, losing to Spain in the semi-finals before defeating hosts Germany to finish in third place.

Overall record

UEFA Nations League record
Season**DivisionGroupPldWD*LGFGAP/RRank
Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2018–19 A 1 421144Steady3.svg6th
Flag of Italy.svg 2020–21 A 3 8710178Steady3.svg1st
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2022–23 A 1 612357Steady3.svg12th
Flag of Germany.svg 2024–25 A 2 106132013Steady3.svg3rd
Total28165746321 Title
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
**Group stage and quarter-finals played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage. Red border colour indicates the finals stage was held on home soil.

List of matches

SeasonRoundOpponentScoreResultVenueFrance scorers
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2018–19 Group stage
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 0–0 D Munich
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2–1 W Saint-Denis Mbappé, Giroud
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2–1 W Griezmann (2)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0–2 L Rotterdam
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Italy.svg 2020–21
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1–0 W Solna Mbappé
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 4–2 W Saint-Denis Griezmann, Livaković (o.g.), Upamecano, Giroud
Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 0–0 D
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 2–1 W Zagreb Griezmann, Mbappé
Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 1–0 W Lisbon Kanté
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 4–2 W Saint-Denis Giroud (2), Pavard, Coman
Semi-finalFlag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 3–2 W Turin Benzema, Mbappé, T. Hernandez
Final Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2–1 W Milan Benzema, Mbappé
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2022–23 Group stage
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1–2 L Saint-Denis Benzema
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 1–1 D Split Rabiot
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1–1 D Vienna Mbappé
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 0–1 L Saint-Denis
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 2–0 W Mbappé, Giroud
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 0–2 L Copenhagen
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Germany.svg 2024–25 Group stage
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1–3 L Paris Barcola
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2–0 W Décines-Charpieu Kolo Muani, Dembélé
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 4–1 W Budapest Camavinga, Nkunku, Guendouzi, Barcola
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2–1 W Leuven Kolo Muani (2)
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 0–0 D Saint-Denis
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 3–1 W Milan Rabiot (2), Vicario (o.g.)
Quarter-finalFlag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 0–2 L Split
2–0 ( a.e.t. )(5–4 p)W Saint-Denis Olise, Dembélé
Semi-finalFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 4–5 L Stuttgart Mbappé, Cherki, Vivian, (o.g.), Kolo Muani
Third place play-offFlag of Germany.svg  Germany 2–0 W Mbappé, Olise

2018–19 UEFA Nations League

Group stage

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification [a] Flag of the Netherlands.svg Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Flag of Germany.svg
1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 421184+47 [b] Qualification for Nations League Finals 2–0 3–0
2Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 42114407 [b] 2–1 2–1
3Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 40223742 2–2 0–0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated.
  2. 1 2 Head-to-head goal difference: Netherlands +1, France −1.
Germany  Flag of Germany.svg0–0Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Report
Allianz Arena, Munich
Attendance: 67,485 [1]
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)

France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg2–1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Report

France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg2–1Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Report
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 77,300 [1]
Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia)

Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg2–0Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Report
De Kuip, Rotterdam
Attendance: 44,366 [1]
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Group stage

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation Flag of France.svg Flag of Portugal (official).svg Flag of Croatia.svg Flag of Sweden.svg
1Flag of France.svg  France 6510125+716Qualification for Nations League Finals 0–0 4–2 4–2
2Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 6411124+813 0–1 4–1 3–0
3Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 610591673 [a] 1–2 2–3 2–1
4Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden (R)610551383 [a] Relegation to League B 0–1 0–2 2–1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Tied on head-to-head results. Overall goal difference was used as the tiebreaker.
Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg0–1Flag of France.svg  France
Report

France  Flag of France.svg4–2Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
Report

France  Flag of France.svg0–0Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal
Report

Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg1–2Flag of France.svg  France
Report
Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Attendance: 6,266 [5]
Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)

Portugal  Flag of Portugal (official).svg0–1Flag of France.svg  France
Report

France  Flag of France.svg4–2Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Report

Finals

France qualified for its first appearance to the UEFA Nations League Finals in the 2020–21 season, after defeating Portugal on 14 November 2020. [8]

Semi-finals

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 2–3 Flag of France.svg  France
Report
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Attendance: 12,409 [9]
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

Final

Spain  Flag of Spain.svg 1–2 Flag of France.svg  France
Report
San Siro, Milan
Attendance: 31,511 [10]
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)

2022–23 UEFA Nations League

Group stage

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation Flag of Croatia.svg Flag of Denmark.svg Flag of France.svg Flag of Austria.svg
1Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 641186+213Qualification for Nations League Finals 2–1 1–1 0–3
2Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 640295+412 0–1 2–0 2–0
3Flag of France.svg  France 61235725 0–1 1–2 2–0
4Flag of Austria.svg  Austria (R)611461044Relegation to League B 1–3 1–2 1–1
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(R) Relegated
France  Flag of France.svg1–2Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
Report
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 75,833 [11]
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg1–1Flag of France.svg  France
Report
Stadion Poljud, Split
Attendance: 30,000 [12]
Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)

Austria  Flag of Austria.svg1–1Flag of France.svg  France
Report

France  Flag of France.svg0–1Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
Report
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 77,410 [14]
Referee: Orel Grinfeld (Israel)

France  Flag of France.svg2–0Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
Report
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 70,188 [15]
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (Sweden)

Denmark  Flag of Denmark.svg2–0Flag of France.svg  France
Report
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Attendance: 36,064 [16]
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)

2024–25 UEFA Nations League

Group stage

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation Flag of France.svg Flag of Italy.svg Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Flag of Israel.svg
1Flag of France.svg  France 6411126+613 [a] Advance to quarter-finals 1–3 2–0 0–0
2Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 6411138+513 [a] 1–3 2–2 4–1
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium (O)61146934 [b] Qualification for relegation play-offs 1–2 0–1 3–1
4Flag of Israel.svg  Israel (R)611451384 [b] Relegation to League B 1–4 1–2 1–0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Tied on head to head results. Overall goal difference: France +6, Italy +5.
  2. 1 2 Tied on head to head points. Head to head goal difference: Belgium +1, Israel –1.
France  Flag of France.svg1–3Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Report
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 44,956 [17]
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)

France  Flag of France.svg2–0Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report

Israel  Flag of Israel.svg1–4Flag of France.svg  France
Report
Bozsik Aréna, Budapest (Hungary) [note 3]
Attendance: 2,226 [19]
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)

Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg1–2Flag of France.svg  France
Report

France  Flag of France.svg0–0Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Report
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 16,611 [21]
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)

Italy  Flag of Italy.svg1–3Flag of France.svg  France
Report
San Siro, Milan
Attendance: 68,158 [22]
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

Quarter-finals

First leg

Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg2–0Flag of France.svg  France
Report
Stadion Poljud, Split
Attendance: 30,551 [23]
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)

Second leg

Finals

Semi-finals

Spain  Flag of Spain.svg 5–4 Flag of France.svg  France
Report
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Attendance: 51,724 [25]
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)

Third place play-off

Germany  Flag of Germany.svg 0–2 Flag of France.svg  France
Report
MHPArena, Stuttgart
Attendance: 51,313 [26]
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)

Goalscorers

PlayerGoals 2018–19 2020–21 2022–23 2024–25
Kylian Mbappé 91422
Olivier Giroud 5131
Antoine Griezmann 422
Randal Kolo Muani 44
Karim Benzema 321
Adrien Rabiot 312
Bradley Barcola 22
Ousmane Dembélé 22
Michael Olise 22
Eduardo Camavinga 11
Rayan Cherki 11
Kingsley Coman 11
Mattéo Guendouzi 11
Théo Hernandez 11
N'Golo Kanté 11
Christopher Nkunku 11
Benjamin Pavard 11
Dayot Upamecano 11
Own goals 312
Total46417520

Bold players are still active with the national team.

See also

Notes

[note 1] [note 2] [note 3]

  1. 1 2 3 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, all matches scheduled for September 2020 were played behind closed doors. [27] [28]
  2. 1 2 3 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the match was played behind closed doors.
  3. 1 2 Due to the Gaza war, Israel are required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice. [29]

References

    1. 1 2 3 4 "Summary UEFA Nations League A – Group 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
    2. "Sweden vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    3. "France vs. Croatia" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    4. "France vs. Portugal" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    5. "Croatia vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    6. "Portugal vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    7. "France vs. Sweden" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    8. "Portugal 0–1 France-". UEFA . 14 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
    9. "Full Time Report – Semi-finals – Belgium v France" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 7 October 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
    10. "Full Time Report – Final – Spain v France" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 10 October 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
    11. "France vs. Denmark" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
    12. "Croatia vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
    13. "Austria vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
    14. "France vs. Croatia" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
    15. "France vs. Austria" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
    16. "Denmark vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
    17. "Full Time Report League phase – France v Italy" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
    18. "Full Time Report League phase – France v Belgium" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
    19. "Full Time Report League phase – Israel v France" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
    20. "Full Time Report League phase – Belgium v France" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
    21. "Full Time Report League phase – France v Israel" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
    22. "Full Time Report League phase – Italy v France" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
    23. "Full Time Report Quarter-finals 1st leg – Croatia v France" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
    24. "Full Time Report Quarter-finals 2nd leg – France v Croatia" (PDF). UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
    25. "Full Time Report Semi-finals – Spain v France" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
    26. "Full Time Report Third-place play-off – Germany v France" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
    27. "UEFA meets general secretaries of member associations". UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
    28. "UEFA Super Cup to test partial return of spectators". UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
    29. "European Qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden declared abandoned with half-time result confirmed as final". UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.