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In the course of just one year, the \u00a0French women’s national football team\u00a0 has undergone a significant transformation. Herv\u00e9 Renard, who led the team during the \u00a02024 Paris Olympic Games\u00a0, has stepped down from his position. He has been replaced by Laurent Bonadei, who has signed a contract until \u00a0June 2027\u00a0 with the option for extension, as confirmed by the \u00a0French Football Federation\u00a0 (FFF) in their official press release. The federation aims to establish a long-term strategy for the team, especially as many fans and players alike are eager for the squad to secure a \u00a0major title\u00a0 after several disappointments over the past years.<\/p>\n
Having reached the semi-finals of \u00a0Euro 2022\u00a0, the French team faced elimination in the quarter-finals at the \u00a02023 World Cup\u00a0 and again at the \u00a0Paris 2024 Olympic Games\u00a0, where they were notably outperformed by Brazil on their home turf. As the new head coach, \u00a0Laurent Bonadei\u00a0 is determined to change the team’s fortunes. With a stellar record of six victories in six official matches in the League of Nations, Bonadei is stepping onto the field in \u00a0Switzerland\u00a0 with the confidence to instigate a turnaround, all while recognizing there is still much work ahead.<\/p>\n
To galvanize this effort, Bonadei will lead a squad of 23 players, prominently featuring \u00a0Marie-Antoinette Katoto\u00a0, the star attacker who boasts an impressive tally of \u00a038 goals in 40 appearances\u00a0. She will also be supported by experienced players such as \u00a0Kadidiatou Diani, Amel Majri, Sakina Karchaoui,\u00a0 and \u00a0Grace Geyoro\u00a0. Additionally, the new captain, \u00a0Griedge Mbock\u00a0, is recovering from a calf injury and will be pivotal for the team’s opening match against \u00a0England\u00a0. Interestingly, the squad does not include veterans like \u00a0Wendie Renard, Eug\u00e9nie Le Sommer,\u00a0 and \u00a0Kenza Dali\u00a0\u2014choices that Bonadei has made to forge a new path forward for the team.<\/p>\n
For France to make a mark in the upcoming tournament, they must navigate a challenging group in which they will face formidable opponents: \u00a0England\u00a0, who were the champions in 2022; \u00a0Wales\u00a0; and the \u00a0Netherlands\u00a0, the 2017 winners. The matches are set for \u00a0July 5\u00a0 in Zurich, \u00a0July 9\u00a0 in Saint-Gall, and \u00a0July 13\u00a0 in Basel, respectively. Despite the tough competition, Bonadei believes the team possesses the talent and spirit needed to advance far in the tournament. He has articulated his mindset: \u201cI had kept this speech from the start: from the moment you have never won a major trophy, we cannot consider ourselves as favorites.\u201d This conscious humility reflects his approach to team dynamics.<\/p>\n
Bonadei further elaborated, stating, \u201c\u00a0Rather than returning the image of players\u00a0 as favorites\u200b\u200b, we need to embrace our role as challengers. With seven consecutive victories in the Nations League, our stock rises, but I prefer that our opponents see us as the favorites while we focus on our ambition to achieve honor.\u201d His strategy hinges on cultivating this mindset among his 23 players as they pursue a significant victory in the tournament.<\/p>\n
The roster for the French national team has been carefully crafted, and features a balanced mix of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers:<\/p>\n
Goalkeepers:<\/strong> Justine Lerond (Montpellier), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus), Constance Picaud (Fleury)<\/p>\n Defense:<\/strong> Selma Bacha (Lyon), Lou Bogaert (Paris FC), Elisa de Almeida (Paris-SG), Ma\u00eblle Lakrar (Real Madrid), Griedge Mbock (PSG), Melween N’Dongala (Paris FC), Thiniba Samoura (Paris-SG), Alice Sombath (Lyon)<\/p>\n Midfield:<\/strong> Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea), Grace Geyoro (Paris-SG), Oriane Jean-Fran\u00e7ois (Chelsea), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris-SG), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid)<\/p>\n Attackers:<\/strong> Delphine Cascarino (San Diego Wave), Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon), Kelly Gago (Everton), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris-SG), Melvine Malard (Manchester United), Clara Mateo (Paris FC)<\/p>\n As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Bonadei and his squad. The \u00a02024 challenges await\u00a0, and the team hopes to rise to the occasion, create their own narrative, and strive toward achieving glory in women’s football.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n