After a triumphant World Cup title in the 1998 tournament and a disappointing finish in 2002 that saw the team fail to score even a single goal, France enters the 2006 World Cup in search of duplicating the '98 results.

Still with the familiar Zinedine Zidane, France has a talented roster filled with some of Europe's and the world's greatest players.

The 2006 tournament is France's 11th World Cup appearance since its very first trip to the tournament in 1930. The World Cup veterans are only one of two teams to participate in every qualifying competition thus far.

Though France has plenty of experience in the sport's most important tournament, the team has had to battle through recent struggles in order to make it to Germany.

In 2002, France finished in the bottom of its group standings, with losses to Denmark and first time World Cup participant Senegal. A 0-0 draw with Uruguay didn't help either, as France faced a frustrating early exit from the tournament.

The same problems that plagued the 2002 squad appeared to trouble the EURO 2004 squad, as the French team was dealt a loss to Greece in the quarterfinals.

With the threat of another disappointing World Cup showing, head coach Raymond Domenech was put in charge and helped France into the 2006 tournament.

The roster, which includes plenty of experienced veterans, has a decent shot at making it past this year's group stages. William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre will lead the back line, with midfielders Patrick Vieira and of course Zidane fielding a solid middle line.

Forward Thierry Henry, the Premiership's leading scorer, headlines a front line filled with some of Europe's finest strikers. Henry led Arsenal to the runner-up spot in the 2006 UEFA Champions League tournament and helped the Premiership qualify for the 2006-07 tournament with a fourth place league finish.

France can also benefit from the talents of Louis Saha, David Trezeguet and Djibril Cisse on the offensive side of the ball. Trezeguet's offensive strengths helped bring Italian side Juventus to a first place finish in Serie A.

The combination of players, which includes some the best of England and Italy's top divisions, is perhaps one of the most solid in the tournament.

Drawn into Group G, France opens the tournament against Switzerland on June 13 in Stuttgart. The team also will face the Korea Republic and Togo.

Significant past players:

Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, Michel Platini, Just Fontaine, Raymond Kopa

Achievements:

-- 3rd 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden

-- 4th 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain

-- 3rd 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico

-- Champion 1998 FIFA World Cup France

-- 4th UEFA European Championship France 1960

-- Champion UEFA European Championship France 1984

-- Semifinal UEFA European Championship England 1996

-- Champion UEFA European Championship Holland/Belgium 2000

-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1984

-- Champion FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001