In a performance that culminated in a convincing 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final, France won the 2018 World Cup final. "Les Blues," as the French team is known, won the tournament with a dazzling display of energy, flair and creativity. France's success is being attributed in no small part to its diversity; many of the teams that did well in the tournament were multiethnic and multiracial. Their success is being touted as an antidote to the anti-immigrant sentiment that is sweeping Europe and the developed world. Diversity is important and is good, but a champion soccer team is less revealing than it seems. Trophies will not produce tolerance.
Sixteen of France's 23 team members come from families that recently immigrated; 15 of them have African roots. Other players came from other European countries: Goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris' family is from Spain. The 1998 team, which also won the World Cup, was almost as diverse: 11 of its players were either first- or second-generation immigrants.
Other teams that reached the semifinals had a similar makeup. England fielded 11 players of African or Caribbean descent; coach Gareth Southgate said the team "represents modern England." Eleven players on the Belgium team were from migrant families. The goals that tied the game and propelled the Red Devils (the Belgium's team) to victory over Japan were scored by the sons of immigrants. Croatia appears to be the exception, fielding an ethnically homogeneous team, but several of its players were born or grew up abroad.