Karembeu recalls World Cup journey from New Caledonia to France glory
Short overview
Christian Karembeu tells the FIFA Podcast about two defining France-Brazil World Cup matches: watching the 1986 quarter-final as a boy in New Caledonia and playing in the 1998 final. He reflects on football's unifying power and his personal journey.
Christian Karembeu, a 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, has shared the personal thread connecting two iconic France versus Brazil matches that shaped his life. In an interview on the FIFA Podcast, the former midfielder described watching the 1986 quarter-final as a 15-year-old in his native New Caledonia and later playing in the 1998 final, which France won 3-0.
A boy in New Caledonia: the 1986 quarter-final
Karembeu recalled the Mexico 1986 quarter-final between France and Brazil as his favourite World Cup match. “Brazil v France in Mexico – it finished with penalty kicks,” he told podcast presenter Mikael Silvestre. “For me, it was fantastic, like a final. There are more beautiful games, but this one impacted me when I was a kid.”
In New Caledonia, a French Overseas Territory in the southwest Pacific, the tournament captivated the public. Karembeu described gathering with his family and “the tribe” around a single communal television. “In New Caledonia [back then] there’s one TV, and I was behind because we need to give the floor to our guests. So all of them were in front of me. I was just looking like this… ‘Who’s scoring?’, ‘Who is doing this?’. Fantastic memories.”
Matches often aired in the early hours. “We all woke up – at two or three in the morning – when France were playing,” Karembeu said. “All the villages, all the tribes, all the cities were watching the game.”
From spectator to champion: the 1998 final
Twelve years later, Karembeu faced Brazil again, this time in the World Cup final at the Stade de France. Now a Real Madrid player, he competed in midfield against Dunga, Leonardo and Rivaldo. France won 3-0, securing their first World Cup title.
Karembeu reflected on the tournament’s broader impact. “Listen, I think it was a beautiful moment for France, for our team-mates and for the history of the national team. Indeed, it was a great celebration with our diversity in our [society].”
The FIFA Podcast
The FIFA Podcast, hosted by Christian Vieri and Mikael Silvestre, offers exclusive access and expert analysis ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. New episodes are available on the FIFA YouTube Channel.
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