File 16: France, 1998

<p><strong>In our sixteenth file, we travel to France, 1998 — where new nations emerged, old powers collided, and the host country dared to dream.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>For the first time, 32 teams arrived to compete for football’s greatest prize. New nations made their mark, underdogs produced unforgettable shocks, and Croatia announced themselves to the world with a remarkable run. Brazil returned as defending champions, led by the brilliant Ronaldo — but the hosts had a gifted team of their own and a nation beginning to believe.</p><p><br></p><p>In <strong>Episode 16: France 1998</strong>, we uncover how the World Cup expanded into a truly global tournament, how controversy and mystery surrounded Brazil before the final, and how Zinedine Zidane inspired France to its first world title on home soil.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Strap in. History never played it safe.</strong></p>