| The composition of the eight first round groups at Marseille gave the signal for the 16th FIFA World Cup to begin in earnest. An ambitious draw, agreed by one and all to be a total success. For the French Organising Committee, the event was also an opportunity to run full dress rehearsals in various areas of the organisation. |
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EDITO
A good year ahead |
| 1998 is here – at last, we might add! The French Organising Committee has been going flat out in preparing for this great event for more than five years, and it is with a certain amount of impatience, not to mention excitement, that we move towards our objective.
And our enthusiasm has only intensified as a result of the Draw on 4 December last year at Marseille. It was an ambitious gamble to stage the event in a stadium and put on a Gala Match at the same time, but was unanimously acclaimed as having paid off. FRANCE 98 has now moved up a gear. We know who will meet whom in the 48 first round matches, and where these matches will be played. This is crucial information which will enable us to fine-tune our entire plan of action, and ensure that the 16th World Cup will be a huge and magnificent celebration. Meanwhile, all the French Organising Committee team wishes you a very happy 1998, and hopes that the coming year will bring happiness, success and, of course, victory!
Fernand SASTRE – Michel PLATINI
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