The Stade de France will ring hollow this Thursday, November 14 (8:45 p.m.). For Israel’s reception in the League of Nations, only 20,000 spectators are expected to travel to the Dionysian lair. An abnormally low attendance for a match of the vice-world champions, but motivated by the low prestige of the opponent, coupled with the geopolitical situation and the wars led by Israel in the Middle East. As such, many Blues supporters have decided to skip this match. If the forecast of 20,000 spectators were confirmed, it would be the worst attendance for the Blues at the Stade de France since the stadium was built in January 1998. But what are the worst figures for the Blues in Saint-Denis?
France – Poland (2004): 50,480 spectators
A few weeks after a failed Euro 2004, France, taken back in hand by Raymond Domenech, faced a Poland team in the trough one autumn evening at the Stade de France. Presented in this way, it is understandable that only 50,480 curious people wanted to make the trip. And those absent were obviously right. On the pitch, Domenech lays the foundations of his minimalist style of play and the two selections leave with a 0-0. The only notable fact of this sad match: the first selection of Mickaël Landreau with the Blues.
France – Cyprus (2003): 45,000 spectators
The France – Cyprus on September 6, 2003 was hardly more attractive than the poster against Poland, but it had the merit of offering more goals. The selection led by Jacques Santini holds its place and passes five goals to the island players. David Trezeguet and Sylvain Wiltord do their doubles, while Thierry Henry makes his contribution. But only 45,000 people attended this qualifying match for Euro 2004, the deserters having probably been cooled by the low adversity.
France – Israel (2004): 43,527 spectators
In 2004, Israel was already not gathering crowds. Twenty years before the League of Nations match, only 43,527 people took their seats in the Stade de France for this qualifying match for the 2006 World Cup. A French public which visibly has flair since this match had given birth to a sad 0-0, a few weeks before that of Poland. A year earlier, 57,900 spectators were present for the same poster, constituting the ninth worst attendance for the Blues in Saint-Denis.
France – Türkiye (2003): 41,195 spectators
The 2003-2004 period definitely marked a break between France and its public, still marked by the fiasco of the 2002 World Cup. Even during official competitions, France played in a sparse Stade de France. Although qualified for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup at home, the Blues had only 41,195 supporters in front of them when they validated their ticket for a final, which will take a back seat after the death of Marc-Vivien Foé during the other half between Cameroon and Colombia.
France – New Zealand (2003): 36,842 spectators
Disappeared from the radar in 2017, the Confederations Cup never found its place in the international calendar. It is in particular to this competition that the Stade de France owes its worst crowds to the international competition.
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The prize therefore goes to a group match between France and New Zealand, with only 36,842 souls attending the slap inflicted by the Blues (5-0). A record which should therefore be broken by the reception of Israel this Thursday.
