At the outset of the Cup, many weren't rooting for France but for Tunisia, Togo, Senegal or other countries where they trace their roots. But as the field has narrowed, more and more are cheering for Les Bleus.

When France won in 1998, the national team was hailed as an example of diversity dubbed "black, blanc, beur," or "black, white, North African," in a play on the red-white-and-blue of the French flag.

Star Zinedine Zidane, born in France to Algerian immigrants, epitomizes the attitude then and now.

Three of the 23 players this year are foreign-born,Senegal's Patrick Vieira, Congo's Claude Makelele and Cameroonian Jean-Alain Boumsong. Five more have immigrant roots, from Algeria, Mali, Benin, Mauritania and Argentina. Nine others are from France's overseas departments in the Caribbean.

Far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen says that's too much color, and outraged many by telling sports daily L'Equipe that "The French don't feel totally represented" by the team.

Player Lilian Thuram struck back, saying, "I would say that Mr. Le Pen does not seem aware that there are French people who are black, blond, auburn. ... We are very, very proud to be French."

Pap N'Diaye, expert in black history at the prestigious EHESS school of social sciences in Paris, urged players to involve themselves more in civic activities.

"Blacks are present on the field, but not in leadership positions," he said in an interview with Le Monde released Saturday.

Pascale Romirez, who works at a La Courneuve unemployment office, said only concerted government efforts to improve education and training will overcome discrimination and bring down staggering 50 percent joblessness among minority youth.

"We need more than a victory in the final to get these people into the work force," she said.

For many in impoverished neighborhoods, soccer offers escape from troubled home lives and bleak prospects.

As Karim Bouziane, watching a group of boys in an informal match at a garbage-strewn park in Paris suburb Vitry-sur-Seine, said: "They can't all be Zizou."