Fans to welcome French team in Paris after World Cup loss
France's Kylian Mbappe walks with the Golden Boot award for top goal scorer of the tournament during the awards ceremony after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final soccer match at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Credit: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
PARIS — Fans are set to welcome the France team in central Paris on Monday evening after its loss against Argentina in in one of the greatest finals in World Cup history.
Kylian Mbappé and his teammates, who left Qatar on Monday, are expected to go to Place de la Concorde in the evening to greet supporters, according to a statement from the French Football Federation.
In contrast with 2018, when France won the World Cup in Russia, the players will not have a parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue.
In his first message published on Instagram and Twitter following Sunday's defeat, Mbappé posted a photo of himself, head down, behind the World Cup trophy with the message: “We will be back."
More than 24 million people — eight out of 10 viewers — watched the final on French TF1 television, a record high.
France played its part in one of the most memorable finishes in World Cup history, even though the defending champions failed to retain the title. Mbappé’s hat trick of goals helped give France a 3-3 draw with Argentina after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout.
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France's President Emmanuel Macron comforts France's Kylian Mbappe during the award ceremony of the World Cup at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Credit: AP/Christophe Ena
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