France captured the 2018 World Cup championship defeating Croatia 4 to 2. Most evident by looking at the French team is that it is comprised of many immigrant-descended players, primarily from the vast continent of Africa, where the French colonized several regions.

France, however, is not an immigrant haven. Racism and discrimination are still existent and sometimes racist sentiments and anti-immigration policies lead to untimely deaths. As noted by a CNN article, in 2005, two teenagers died electrocuted after being chased by police in suburban housing projects, and this past June, riots erupted after a Guinean immigrant was killed by police. As per CNN:

“Clashes over police brutality, racial justice and economic opportunity shape debates across Europe and the United States regarding who deserves the right to be a citizen. Immigrants with African roots populate all parts of French society, particularly the areas that require hard, at times poorly paid and dangerous labor. Many of these immigrants -- and citizens -- are connected to France and the larger European Union's colonial past.”

The World Cup-winning French national team featured at least 15 players of African ancestry. Now, it would only be ideal if this inclusiveness permeated all aspects of French society.