Euros Preview: France

by Jean-Pierre Thiesset (28/6/25)

Above: The France national team who will take on Switzerland. Photo: equipedefrancef.

Les Bleues, ranked second in Europe and 11th in the world go into the tournament with high hopes.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Justine Lerond (Montpellier, France), Constance Picaud, (Fleury, France), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, (Juventus, Italy).

Defenders: Selma Bacha, (OL Lyonnes, France), Lou Bogaert (Paris FC, France), Elisa De Almeida, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Maëlle Lakrar, (Real Madrid, Spain), Griedge MBock, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Melween N’Dongala (Paris FC, France), Thiniba Samoura, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Alice Sombath (OL Lyonnes).

Midfielders: Sandy Baltimore, (Chelsea, England), Grace Geyoro, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Oriane Jean-François (Chelsea, England), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Amel Majri (OL Lyonnes, France), Sandie Toletti, (Real Madrid, Spain).

Forwards: Delphine Cascarino (Wave San Diego, USA), Kadidiatou Diani (OL Lyonnes, France), Kelly Gago (Everton, England), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Melvine Malard (Manchester United, England), Clara Matéo (Paris FC, France).

Head Coach:

Laurent Bonadei, was named the head coach of France’s squad in August 2024. He was the assistant to Herve Renard, from March 2023. Following a 15 year playing career, he moved into coaching and led several youth level teams.

Euro History:

Since an eight-team knockout Euros tournament was introduced in 1997, France had gone out in the last eight every time before making the 2022 semis, after beating title holders the Netherlands in extra time.

How they qualified:

France qualified as Group A3 winners with a record of four wins from their six games against England, with the Republic of Ireland, and Sweden. Marie-Antoinette Katoto contributed three goals in the process.

Strengths:

A lot of players have experience in major club and international tournaments. Exciting new young players have been integrated into the squad and brought a new look to the team.

Development Areas:

Since Laurent Bonadei was named as head coach, three major experienced players, Eugénie Le Sommer, Wendie Renard, and Kenza Dali have been left out of the squad for the last two games of group qualification in the Nation’s League tournament and have subsequently been left out of the squad for the tournament in Switzerland.The coach said that he wanted to prepare the squad for the future. We will soon know if this was the correct decision or not.

Key Players:

**Above:** Delphine Cascarino (White 20). Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus*.

Delphine Cascarino, 27 years old, is at the peak of her abilities. With an exceptional ability to acceleration past defenders, she can be one of the tournament’s top players.

**Above:** Selma Bacha (white 4), **Photo:** Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus.*

Selma Bacha debuted in France’s premier league) in 2017 at the age of just 16 years old. Now, her versatility and punch in offence can be one of the main strengths of France. People who know this highly skilled player used to say that her brain thinks what to do and her left foot does it.

**Above**: Clara Matéo. **Photo**: Jean-Pierre Thiesset, Impetus.

Clara Matéo, 27 years old, was the top scorer in France’s Première League last season with 18 goals; she also contributed seven assists. Matéo can play in midfield just behind the centre forward to organize the play or as central forward herself. Her vivacity and game vision are a true plus.

One to watch:

**Above:** Melvine Malard. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus*.

In January 2020, Malard was named by UEFA as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe. She spent three seasons at Olympique Lyonnais between 2020 and 2023 winning UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2020 and 2022.

Success would be:

Making the final. Nothing else will be considered as successful by the fans.

Prediction:

If all the planets are aligned, France may win this Euro 2025. However, in my own point of view, it will still be difficult to do better that the semi-final even if the team does play more rapidly in midfield with new young players and continue to be more efficient in front of goal.