The 1998 World Cup in France was the first of the 32-team era — a tournament that felt larger, denser, and unmistakably global.  Eight groups and 64 matches unfolded from Marseille to Lens, and the new Stade de France opened its doors as a national stage designed for moments meant to last.  The games carried a different kind of tension with elimination of 3rd-place qualifiers and introduction of the golden goal in knockout matches. Defenses held firm. Midfields slowed the tempo. Games turned on set pieces, rebounds, and single decisions rather than wild scoring runs.  There were perhaps fewer fireworks than in some past tournaments — but more pressure in every touch. It was soccer played with great discipline, and patience and restraint created their own form of drama. Beyond the field, the world was recalibrating. South Africa returned after the end of apartheid. Croatia competed under its own flag. Japan signaled Asia’s arrival.  And in France, a multicultural national team would soon become shorthand for a broader social moment. By the final whistle in Paris, the 32-team format no longer felt experimental. The World Cup had expanded its global reach without sacrificing competitive balance. The structure introduced in 1998 would define the tournament until the next major expansion in 2026.