FIFA World Cup: 5 most underwhelming teams in history  

#2 France (2002 FIFA World Cup)

Zinedine Zidane and Marcel Desailly look dejected after the loss against Denmark

The 2002 edition of the FIFA World Cup was a historic one as it was the first time that the tournament was being held in Asia, however, it was a very forgettable tournament for Les Bleus. After winning the title 4 years ago in their own backyard for the very first time, the French were expected to carry their strong performance. France not only entered the tournament as World champions but also as European champions and Confederation Cup winners.

The French team was set to clinch Asia's maiden World Cup as they looked unstoppable ever since that evening in Stade de France 4 years ago. Zinedine Zidane was going into the tournament after winning the Champions League title with Real Madrid in Glasgow and it looked like the group stage matches will be a walk in the park for the French team.

France played a friendly against South Korea a week before the tournament and it was this match that proved costly for the French. French talisman Zidane was injured in the game and was set to miss the opening 2 matches of the World Cup.

The opening game against Senegal made Zidane's absence evident as the World champions went on to lose 1-0. In the second game against Uruguay, the French were yet again unable to find the net and the game ended up in a stalemate leaving France on the brink of elimination. The last game saw the return of Zidane but even he couldn't inspire France to a win as they went on to lose 2-0 against Denmark.

This was only the second time in the tournament's history that a defending champion was unable to get out of the group stage after Brazil failed to do so in 1966 and was the only time a defending champion failed to find the net even once in the tournament.