Les Bleus’ victory at the 1998 World Cup is being turned into a musical at La Seine Musicale
The 1998 World Cup remains one of the most memorable moments in the history of French sports. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this legendary victory, a brand-new musical show is set to thrill audiences at La Seine Musicale. This surprising project blends soccer, emotion, and theater to recount an epic story that has left its mark on entire generations.
A summer in 1998 that will never be forgotten
Close your eyes. It’s the summer of 1998. France has just beaten Brazil 3-0 in the final and won its very first World Cup title. The whole country has taken to the streets to celebrate the victory.
The French national team was coached at the time by Aimé Jacquet. It featured legends such as Zinédine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Lilian Thuram, and Frank Lebœuf. Yet few could have predicted the scale of the national celebration that followed the victory.
The 1998 World Cup remains etched in people’s memories. It continues to inspire entire generations, far beyond just soccer fans.
An unexpected artistic challenge
Soccer on stage, in the form of a musical? The project seems crazy at first glance. Yet it is indeed set to premiere on the stage of La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt.
The show is titled 1998, Our Greatest Story. It will transport the audience back to the excitement of that historic summer. Furthermore, following its premiere in Paris, the show will go on tour throughout France.
“To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Les Bleus’ legendary World Cup victory, a brand-new musical show is set to thrill audiences at La Seine Musicale.”
A renowned artistic team on the Parisian scene
Behind this ambitious project are some well-known names in the Parisian cultural scene. Farid Benlagha is serving as producer. He previously produced the stage adaptation of *La Haine*, giving him solid experience in live performance.
Working alongside him, Emilie Capel and Yaman Okur are handling the artistic direction and choreography. Proof is serving as musical director, while librettist François Chouquet is collaborating with a screenwriter to bring the characters to life.
As a result, every aspect of the show is in the hands of seasoned professionals. This multidisciplinary team gives us reason to hope for a production that lives up to the legend of the 1998 World Cup.
- Produced by Farid Benlagha, who also created the stage adaptation of *La Haine*
- Artistic Direction and Choreography: Emilie Capel and Yaman Okur
- Musical direction: Proof
- Librettist: François Chouquet, in collaboration with a screenwriter
- Venue: La Seine Musicale, Île Seguin, Boulogne-Billancourt
When should you open your ticket office?
The show will kick off in 2028 at La Seine Musicale. Tickets will go on sale at the end of 2026. As a result, long-time fans will have plenty of time to make plans.
Following its run in Paris, the show is set to tour throughout France. This nationwide tour will allow as many people as possible to relive the excitement of that unforgettable summer.
Why does this show resonate so strongly today?
In 2026, France will also be competing in the 2026 World Cup. This unique context gives the show even greater significance. Seeing the heroes of 1998 back on stage, just as Les Bleus are once again competing in a major tournament, creates a truly special moment.
The 1998 World Cup is more than just a sporting memory. It is a moment of national unity, a chapter in history shared by millions of French people. Bringing this story to life on stage through music and dance offers a new way to celebrate this legacy.
The show *1998: Our Greatest Story* promises to be much more than just a tribute. It is an invitation to relive, together, what the 1998 World Cup meant to an entire country. Musical theater fans and those who lived through that magical summer will undoubtedly find something to be moved by in this unique production.
