During the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, the French national team adopted Gloria Gaynor's 1978 disco classic 'I Will Survive' as their unofficial anthem. The song was played in the locker room and at celebrations, becoming synonymous with the team's journey to victory.
The tradition began when players, including captain Didier Deschamps and star Zinedine Zidane, embraced the song for its empowering lyrics and upbeat tempo. According to reports, the team listened to it before matches and after their 3-0 final win against Brazil on July 12, 1998, at the Stade de France.
Gloria Gaynor, who originally released the song in 1978, later expressed pride in its association with the French team. In interviews, she noted that the song's message of resilience resonated with the players' spirit. The track had already been a global hit, but its link to the 1998 World Cup gave it renewed popularity in France.
The song's use by the 1998 team has been credited with inspiring later French squads, though no other team has matched the iconic status of that year's anthem. 'I Will Survive' remains a nostalgic symbol of France's first World Cup title.
