Didier Deschamps's team climbed from 25th spot to seventh on the global ladder, but what made them such a rising force in the world football hierarchy? FIFA takes a closer look.
Above all, Les Bleus managed to remain almost invincible throughout 2016, losing just once in 17 games. Unfortunately for them, that sole defeat came at the worst possible moment, succumbing to Portugal in the final of UEFA EURO 2016 on home soil. Having progressed through the tournament with eye-catching panache, including a semi-final victory against Germany, France were left shell-shocked by Eder's extra-time winner in the decider.
Despite the final outcome, that memorable run allowed Deschamps's men to leap ten places in the ranking, and they held on to seventh spot in the following months thanks to a strong start to FIFA World Cup™ qualifying. Putting their Stade de France nightmare behind them, Les Bleus responded by taking control of Group A in the European Zone preliminaries for Russia 2018, following up their disappointing 0-0 draw against Belarus by beating Bulgaria 4-1, edging the Netherlands 1-0 and seeing off Sweden 2-1.
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