2023 Women’s World Cup: How will France fare under new boss Renard?
A new era is upon the French national team as new boss Herve Renard prepares to lead the team at 2023 Women's World Cup this summer. Can his appointment be a catalyst for success?
Football
Earlier this year, news that French captain Wendie Renard was set to miss the 2023 Women’s World Cup rocked the football world.
In protest, she wrote: “It is a sad day but necessary to preserve my mental health.
“It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step back from the French team. I will unfortunately not be paying in this World Cup in such conditions.”
Her admirable decision to withdraw was soon supported by teammates Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, who followed the lead of their captain.
Their bid to strive for better conditions within the national team setup ultimately saw Corinne Diacre relieved of her duties, to be replaced by Hervé Renard.
The 54-year-old opened up a line of dialogue that would ultimately see the aforementioned trio return, along with further teammates.
With a new era upon the French national team, just how well will they fare with Renard at the helm?
What France can learn from Saudi Arabia’s World Cup stint
When it comes to a World Cup, Renard knows what it takes to make waves.
Just late last year, he was at the helm of the Saudi Arabian team who descended on Qatar for the men’s World Cup. Though they failed to make it out of the groups on this occasion, a shock win over eventual champions Argentina to kickstart their competition turned everyone's attention toward them.
They failed to follow that win up with a 2-0 defeat to Poland and narrowly missed out on progression to the next round after a 2-1 loss to Mexico, but their willingness to take the game to endeared them to onlookers.
That kind of bravery in approach is something France can benefit from going into this summer’s World Cup. While their pool of talent puts them among the favourites to go far, recent tournament history is not quite on their side.
In almost six years with former boss Diacre, Les Bleues only scratched the surface of their potential with success in the USA-born mini tournament the SheBelieves Cup. Outside of that, major tournaments have scarcely gone their way meaning expectations may be subdued as they head to Australia and New Zealand.
Renard, as he did with Saudi Arabia, is well-positioned to use that to their advantage, and in a year where the competition is arguably as open as ever, be a surprise package this time around.
France: The return of key players
If the French team is to write a new chapter in its rich history this summer, the return of key players will no doubt play a crucial role in doing so.
Two notable inclusions are Amandine Henry and Eugénie Le Sommer, with the former hitting pause on her international career in 2020 due to then-manager Diacre.
Henry has largely been regarded as one of the best in her defensive midfield role, often compared with the USA’s Julie Ertz in recent years, with the duo now poised to link up at NWSL outfit Angel City.
Le Sommer was omitted from France’s Euro 2022 squad last year, having played what was then her last game for the national team in 2021.
Her inclusion is a welcomed one for players and fans alike, as experienced forwards Katoto and Delphine Cascarino are both sidelined after picking up ACL injuries – the former at Euro 2022, with the latter sustaining one more recently.
Long-stand captain Renard is also set to lead the team out when they kick off their World Cup campaign, after originally recusing herself from selection prior to the resignation of Diacre, where she will be joined by Diani who has been recalled under new leadership.
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Amandine Henry of France shows appreciation to the fans after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
France’s 2023 World Cup schedule
Drawn in a group with Jamaica, Brazil, and Panama, here’s how France’s schedule currently looks.
23 July: France v Jamaica, KO 20:00 (UTC+10) at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
29 July: France v Brazil, KO 20:00 (UTC+10) at Lang Park, Brisbane
2 August: Panama v France, 20:00 (UTC+10) at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
France’s provisional squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Goalkeepers: Mylène Chavas (Bordeaux), Constance Picaud (PSG), Solène Durand (Guingamp), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus)
Defenders: Wendie Renard (Lyon), Selma Bacha (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United), Elisa De Almeida (PSG), Sakina Karchaoui (PSG) Maëlle Lakrar (Montpellier), Eve Perisset (Chelsea), Aïssatou Tounkara (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Kenza Dali (Aston Villa), Laurina Fazer (Paris Saint-Germain), Grace Geyoro (PSG), Amandine Henry (Angel City), Oriane Jean-François (PSG), Léa Le Garrec (Fleury), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Viviane Asseyi (West Ham), Vicki Becho (Lyon), Kadidiatou Diani (PSG), Naomie Feller (Real Madrid), Eugénie Le Sommer (Lyon), Clara Matéo (Paris FC)