We are celebrating the athletes who have made the most appearances for their nation. Through their countless appearances, these sportsmen have not only shown their extraordinary talent and determination on the field, but also their incredible commitment to the French national team. These players have been defensive mainstays, midfield maestros, and prolific attackers for Les Bleus in a variety of competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championship.
You know it’s a special list when Kylian Mbappe and Raphael Varane sit just outside the top 10.
All information correct as of 15th May 2025.
1
Hugo Lloris
2008-2022
145
2
Lilian Thuram
1994-2008
142
=3
Olivier Giroud
2011-2024
137
=3
Antoine Griezmann
2014-2024
137
5
Thierry Henry
1997-2010
123
6
Marcel Desailly
1993-2004
116
7
Zinedine Zidane
1994-2006
108
8
Patrick Vieira
1997-2009
107
9
Didier Deschamps
1989-2000
103
=10
Karim Benzema
2007-2022
97
=10
Laurent Blanc
1989-2000
97
=10
Bixente Lizarazu
1992-2004
97
13
Raphael Varane
2013-2022
93
14
Sylvain Wiltord
1999-2006
92
15
Paul Pogba
2013-2022
91
16
Kylian Mbappe
2017-present
88
17
Fabien Barthez
1994-2006
87
=18
Blaise Matuidi
2010-2019
84
=18
William Gallas
2002-2010
84
=20
Youri Djorkaeff
1993-2002
82
=20
Manuel Amoros
1982-1992
82
Here is a detailed look at France’s top 10 most-capped players…
10 Karim Benzema 97 caps
One of France’s most recent superstars on this list, Karim Benzema, had a legendary career with Les Bleus, distinguished by his brutal goalscoring ability. The striker appeared 97 times on the international stage for the French national team and scored 37 goals.
During his time with the national squad, he participated in important competitions, including multiple European Championships and the FIFA World Cup in 2014. He wasn’t a part of the team that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but he was able to win the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and picked up the French Football Federation’s French Player of the Year award four times.
His biggest achievement was winning the Ballon d’Or in 2022.
9 Didier Deschamps 103 caps
Celebrated for his perseverance and leadership, Didier Deschamps had a distinguished career as a midfield player before making a successful move into management.
In his playing career, Deschamps amassed 103 caps for the French national team, and was at the pinnacle of his international career as he led France to a World Cup triumph in 1998, an achievement that cemented his reputation as a national hero. His impact on the field and capacity to motivate everyone around him were further evidenced by his crucial part in France’s success at Euro 2000 two years later.
8 Patrick Vieira 107 caps
One of France’s greatest-ever football players, Patrick Vieira had a commanding presence in the midfield and was renowned for his remarkable fusion of physicality, skill, and leadership. The Frenchman played a major part in some of the most prosperous years in French football history, earning 107 caps for the national team.
He achieved many things on the international stage, including winning the 1998 World Cup, UEFA Euro 2000 and the Confederations Cup in 2001. Vieira’s contributions persisted, solidifying his reputation as a pivotal member of the greatest French football generation. On a personal level, he won the French Federation’s French Football Player of the Year award in 2001.
7 Zinedine Zidane 108 caps
Known as one of the greatest football players of all time, Zinedine Zidane left behind an incredible career with the French national team filled with memorable moments and incredible accomplishments. Over his international career, he scored 31 goals and received 108 caps.
Zidane’s greatest accomplishment was during the 1998 World Cup, when he helped France win the tournament for the first time with two headed goals against Brazil in the final on home soil.
The midfielder also had an impact that went beyond the World Cup, since he was key in France taking home the Euro 2000 trophy, enhancing their standing as the world’s top nation. However, one of his most infamous moments came in the 2006 World Cup final, when he decided to plant his notorious headbutt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi.
On a personal note, he won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 2006.
6 Marcel Desailly 116 caps
Marcel Desailly is one of the most decorated players in French football history. He was a strong force in both midfield and defence, which saw him feature for the French national team 116 times.
Desailly’s accomplishments with Les Bleus include the World Cup 1998 title, which France won on home soil in large part thanks to his performances at the back. He continued to demonstrate his ability to consistently compete at the top level by helping France triumph once more at Euro 2000, while he also collected two FIFA Confederations Cup winners’ medals.
5 Thierry Henry 123 caps
Thierry Henry is one of the most cherished football players in French history, known for his extraordinary speed, technical proficiency and goalscoring ability. With 51 goals in 123 appearances, Henry became the all-time top scorer for the French national team, but has since been taken over by Olivier Giroud.
As with many of his teammates, Henry’s notable accomplishments throughout his international career included winning the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000, plus the Confederations Cup in 2003. His role in helping France win the World Cup at home and his achievements during the Euro 2000 campaign were crucial, having won one of his five French Player of the Year awards in 2000.
4 Antoine Griezmann 137 caps
Antoine Griezmann is renowned for his adaptability, trickery, and remarkable skill set. Griezmann earned 137 caps for the French national team, scoring 44 goals and notching 38 assists.
His performances in important international competitions have demonstrated his versatility as a player, which has made him a priceless asset to Les Bleus. Griezmann finished as the tournament’s top scorer in UEFA Euro 2016 with six goals. And his exploits continued at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when he contributed goals and assists, including a vital goal from the penalty spot in the final as France beat Croatia.
3 Olivier Giroud 137 caps
Olivier Giroud’s exceptional combination of skill, physicality and off-the-ball movement has allowed him to carve out a significant place in the history of French football. With a whopping 131 caps for his country, Giroud is Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer with 57 to his name, after overtaking Thierry Henry’s tally of 51 during the 2022 World Cup.
The striker’s tenure with Les Bleus is replete with noteworthy accomplishments, such as winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia, plus securing a runners-up medal on home soil at UEFA Euro 2016. More recently, the striker scored three goals as France won the UEFA Nations League in 2021.
2 Lilian Thuram 142 caps
One of the greatest defenders in French football history, Lilian Thuram is a footballing icon. Thuram previously held the record for most caps in Les Bleus history with 142, but has since been overtaken.
His efforts were crucial to France’s victories at Euro 2000 and the 1998 World Cup, which launched a golden age of French football. Thuram, recognised more for his defensive skills, had a spectacular moment during the 1998 World Cup semi-final against Croatia, where he scored both goals in a 2-1 comeback win.
However, this wasn’t all, as he was another one of the players involved in the 2003 Confederations Cup triumph, while he picked up the French Player of the Year award in 1997.
1 Hugo Lloris 145 caps
Hugo Lloris was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and a vital member of the French national team. He is praised for his outstanding leadership qualities and goalkeeping abilities.
Retiring from international duty in 2022, Lloris sits at the top of tree in terms of appearances for France, having reached the incredible tally of 145.
Among Lloris’ greatest moments with Les Bleus is his important involvement in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup victory in Russia, when his outstanding saves and composure under pressure were essential to their victory.
He also assisted in guiding France to the Euro 2016 final and the 2022 World Cup final, despite coming away empty-handed on both occasions. However, he did secure a second piece of international silverware as France won the UEFA Nations League in 2021.