Coupe de France Previews, Predictions & Betting Tips

The Coupe de France is a knockout cup competition in French football. The Coupe de France is open to all amateur and professional football clubs including those in the overseas territories, with 8,506 clubs competing in the 2017-18 season.

The Coupe de France final is played at the Stade de France and the winner qualifies for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. The Coupe de France was first held in 1917–18 and is a knockout tournament with ties decided by a single leg. There are no replays with each tie decided by extra time or penalties if required.

There are 14 rounds in the Coupe de France due to the high number of amateur teams involved.  Professional clubs enter the competition in the 7th round when all clubs are drawn against each other randomly.

Due to the random draw and one-off matches played in difficult and unfamiliar conditions, there are frequent occasions of ‘giant killing’ matches where amateur clubs defeat professional clubs.

There have only been two clubs from outside Ligue 1 to win the Coupe de France, Le Havre in 1959 and Guingamp in 2009. Only two amateur clubs have reached the final since 1932 - Calais RUFC in 2000 and Les Herbiers VF in 2018. 

Paris Saint-Germain have won the most Coupe de France titles with 12 victories, Marseille next best with ten. Paris Saint-Germain are the reigning champions after defeating Les Herbiers VF in the final of the 2017-18 competition.