Category: Sports | Title: Did Karim Benzema Win the 2018 FIFA World Cup | Tag: World Cup | Meta Description: Did Karim Benzema win the 2018 World Cup? Get the factual answer, his role in the tournament, and France's final result...
Did Karim Benzema Win the 2018 FIFA World Cup
No, Karim Benzema did not win the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was not part of the France squad that lifted the trophy in Russia. France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final on July 15, 2018, but Benzema watched from outside the tournament. He remains one of the most notable absentees in recent World Cup history.
The official 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was France, not Karim Benzema. The tournament, hosted by Russia, concluded with a decisive victory for the French national team. Benzema's absence meant he could not add a World Cup title to his club honors with Real Madrid.
Why Was Karim Benzema Not in the 2018 France Squad
Benzema was excluded from the 2018 France squad due to an ongoing investigation by French authorities. The case involved a sextape extortion plot targeting his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena. The French Football Federation formally withdrew him from the squad in May 2018, citing the damaging effect on the team's focus.
France manager Didier Deschamps confirmed the decision to leave Benzema out of the final 23-man roster. The extortion investigation created a conflict that made it impossible for the federation to include him. As a result, France proceeded with a different striking partnership built around Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.
France's 2018 World Cup Victory Without Benzema
France's Path to the Title
France won the 2018 World Cup by beating Australia, Peru, Denmark, Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium, and Croatia. The team scored 14 goals across seven matches and conceded only 6. Kylian Mbappé emerged as the tournament's breakout star, while Hugo Lloris captained the side to its second World Cup title.
Key Players and Final Match
Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé led the attack in Benzema's absence. Mbappé scored four goals, and Griezmann won the Silver Ball. In the final, France's 4-2 victory over Croatia made it the second time in 20 years that a French squad won the World Cup without Benzema in the lineup.