Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFrance's 1998 World Cup win was a defining moment in the nation's footballing history, as Les Bleus won their first-ever major tournament and completed a major turnaround in their fortunes.Four years earlier, a defeat at home to Bulgaria had meant that a talent-packed France team had failed to qualify for USA '94, missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time.For a young Youri Djorkaeff, the disappointment was especially painful. The then-Monaco midfielder had just broken into the national team and quickly found himself witnessing the turmoil from inside the dressing room.Djorkaeff on his French debut and missing out on USA '94Gerard Houllier handed Djorkaeff his first taste of international football, as the 1994 qualification campaign was reaching its climax. For Djorkaeff, it was a life-changing opportunity."I was called up for the first time to play the last two qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup, against Israel and Bulgaria in Paris," Djorkaeff recalls to FourFourTwo. You may like If we played that game 10 times, wed win it nine Olivier Giroud recalls the most painful defeat of his entire career, and why it made him the player he became World Cup winner reveals identity of France monster who could take Les Bleus to third straight final Thierry Henry reflects on losing the 2006 Champions League and World Cup finals "Gerard Houllier called me, and my first reaction was wow! It was my big chance to go to the USA we only needed one point. When I arrived in the dressing room though, I quickly realised that the atmosphere was strange. There was tension between certain players."The Parc des Princes defeat to Bulgaria has gone down as a low point in recent French football history. France needed only a draw to book their place at the tournament in that final qualifier, with Djorkaeff unable to make his mark on the match.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."Bulgaria equalised while I was warming up," he continues. "I was going to be the second sub, but while I was putting on my shirt, the Parc des Princes was chanting David Ginolas name he hadnt even warmed up, but went on instead of me."It was a small disappointment, but qualification was the important thing. In the last minute, Emil Kostadinov scored to make it 2-1. A nightmare. We were crushed. There were even fights in the dressing room. It was one of the biggest disappointments in Frances football history. How could we not be at that World Cup?"You cant win without a good atmosphere in the dressing room. We werent united that only came later, from 1995 onwards."As he made his way into the France set-up in those early days, Djorkaeff did not have to look far for inspiration, as his father Jean won 48 caps for his country and proved to be a significant source of inspiration."Having a father who was a footballer was incredible, especially as he was also captain of the national team. I can remember going to watch him at the stadium. People would stop him in the street, they wanted to talk to him they had so much respect for him."It wasnt a normal childhood with my father being who he was, having played for Lyon, Marseille and PSG. Hes always been an inspiration to me."TOPICSFranceWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
