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Stephen A. Smith criticized for comments on France's World Cup history

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 6:50 AM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

Stephen A. Smith criticized for comments on France's World Cup history

Summary

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith faced backlash after a World Cup comment regarding France. During a discussion about the team following their 3-1 win over Senegal, Smith implied France was still seeking their first World Cup title, forgetting their victories in 1998 and 2018. Fans reacted quickly, expressing frustration with his lack of awareness of soccer history. The incident has sparked discussion about the qualifications of sports commentators covering events outside their primary expertise.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•France won their opening match against Senegal 3-1 in the World Cup.
•Stephen A. Smith incorrectly suggested France was seeking their first title.
•France has previously won the World Cup in 1998 and 2018.
•Fans criticized Smith's comments as indicative of a larger issue in sports media.
•The discussion arose during the 2026 World Cup, where France aims for another title.

Latest Updates

6:50 AMYahoo Sports — Fans blast NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith for his World Cup take

What they're saying

"
Stephen A. Smith has built a career on speaking confidently across the sports world, but his latest World Cup comment about France gave soccer fans an easy target.
— Yahoo Sports

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