by Jean-Pierre Thiesset (14/7/24)
Above: France gather for their home Olympic Games. Photo: French National Women’s Team Twitter.
The France women’s national football team is nicknamed Les Bleues and ranked second in the world.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Constance Picaud.
Defenders: Selma Bacha, Estelle Cascarino, Elisa De Almeida, Sakina Karchaoui, Maëlle Lakrar, Griedge MBock, Wendie Renard.
Midfielders: Sandy Baltimore, Kenza Dali, Grace Geyoro, Amandine Henry, Sandie Toletti.
Forwards: Delphine Cascarino, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Eugénie Le Sommer.
Alternate Players (can only be selected if any players above are injured): Solène Durand, Eve Périsset, Léa Le Garrec, Vicki Becho.
Head coach
Hervé Renard, born on September 30, 1968, at Aix-Les Bains, was named as the head coach of France in March 2023. He played as a central defender from 1986 to 1998. As head coach of men’s teams, Renard twice won the African Cup of Nations in 2012 with Zambia and in 2015 with Côte d’Ivoire.
Olympics History
France have only previously participated in two Olympics. At London 2012, their best result so far came when they finished fourth. Four years later in Rio, they lost in the quarter-finals against Canada.
How they qualified
France qualified as the host nation.
Strengths
A lot of players have consistent international and top competition experiences in events such as the Champions League, European Championships, and World Cups. Key players are back, such as Delphine Cascarino. France will also play with a true centre-forward in Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Development areas
Since Renard was named as head coach, the return of experienced players left out under the previous regime and the addition of young talent has made the squad better. However, the team still has a lot of problems against teams that play fast one or two-touch styles such as Spain. This is not surprising when we consider that Olympique Lyonnais players, who are the most represented club side in France’s starting team, had the same problems against Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Key players
Delphine Cascarino
Delphine Cascarino, 27 years old, is at the peak of her abilities. With an acceleration of 34 km/h, Cascarino can dribble past any player. She has played 62 matches for France and scored 14 goals. With Olympique Lyonnais, since 2014 she has played 223 games and scored 45 goals, winning six Champions Leagues, nine D1 Championships (France’s premier league), and six France Cups.
Selma Bacha
At only 23 years old, Bacha, who made her D1 debut in 2017 at 16 years old, has already an impressive list of honours. She has won four Champions Leagues, six D1 Championships, and three France Cups. Bacha has played 169 matches in D1 Arkema with Olympique Lyonnais, scoring nine goals and delivering 62 assists. She has also earned played 31 matches with the France national team scoring twice. Bacha’s versatility and punch can be one of the main strengths of France.
Kadidiatou Diani
Diani, 29 years old, usually right forward, can play central forward as she did with the Paris Saint-Germain team in the 2022-2023 season when she finished as the top scorer with 17 goals in D1 Arkema. She played 89 matches with France and scored 26 goals.
One to watch
Marie-Antoinette Katoto
Katoto, 25, will finally have the opportunity to show all her talent and skills in an international tournament. With 34 caps and 27 goals, she is not a beginner but was not selected for the World Cup in 2019. In 2022, she was in the squad for the European Championships but was unfortunately injured after the first game.
Success would be
France must make the final. Nothing else will be considered as successful by the fans, especially as the host nation.
Prediction
If all the planets are aligned, France could win this Olympics. However, in my own point of view, it will be difficult to do better than the semi-final if the team cannot improve its passing and shooting accuracy and does not play faster in midfield.
Group Fixtures
25th July France v Colombia, 9pm, Groupama Stadium, Lyon.
28th July France v Canada, 9pm, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St. Etienne.
31st July New Zealand v France, 9pm, Groupama Stadium, Lyon.
All kick-off times are French time.
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