France women's national football team
Encyclopedia
The French women's national football team represents France in international women's football. The team is directed by the French Football Federation
(FFF) and competes as a member of UEFA
in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup
, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer Olympics, and the Algarve Cup
.
The France women's national team initially struggled on the international stage failing to qualify for three of the first FIFA Women's World Cup
s and the six straight UEFA European Championships
before reaching the quarter-finals in the 1997 edition of the competition
. However, since the beginning of the new millennium
, France have become a mid-tier national team and one of the most consistent in Europe
having qualified for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003 and reaching the quarter-finals in two of the three European Championships held since 2000. In 2011, France recorded a fourth-place finish at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup; its best finish overall at the competition.
The current manager of the national team is Bruno Bini
. Bini is a former player and has managed all levels of French international women's football beginning with the under-16 team in 1993. He has been in charge of the team since February 2007 when he replaced Elisabeth Loisel following her failure to qualify for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. The current captain
of the national team is 37-year old midfielder
Sandrine Soubeyrand
. On 29 October 2009, Soubeyrand earned her record 143rd career international cap in a match against Estonia
. The achievement surpassed French men's international
defender
Lilian Thuram
as the nation's most capped football player. As of July 2011, France is ranked No. 7 in the FIFA Women's World Rankings
.
traveled to England and played its first international match against English team Dick, Kerr's Ladies
. The match, held in Preston, attracted more than 25,000 spectators. France won the match 2–0 and ended its tour with two wins, one draw, and one defeat. The following year, a return match in France at the Stade Pershing
in Vincennes
, a suburb of Paris, took place in front of over 12,000 spectators. The match ended in a 1–1 draw. In May 1921, France returned to England for friendlies. The team won its first match 5–1, then suffered three consecutive defeats. In October 1921, the English team returned to France contesting matches in Paris and Le Havre
with both matches ending in stalemates. Despite women's football in England being prohibited by The Football Association
in December 1921, France continued to go there on tour for matches. A victory for the French in Plymouth
was followed by 0–0 draws in Exeter
and Falmouth
. By 1932, the female game had been called to an end and the women's league formed in 1919 by the FSFSF was discontinued. The last match by the FSFSF international team was another scoreless draw against Belgium
on 3 April 1932.
Throughout the late 1960s in France, particularly in Reims
, local players worked hard to promote awareness and the acceptance of women's football. A year before getting officially sanctioned, France took part in a makeshift European Cup
against England
, Denmark
, and Italy
. The tournament was won by the Italians. The Federal Council of the French Football Federation
officially reinstated women's football in 1970 and France played its first official international match on 17 April 1971 against the Netherlands
in Hazebrouck
. That same year, France took part in the unofficial 1971 Women's World Cup, held in Mexico
. The ladies continued the pirate games, which just made it into the margins of FIFA
's records, until FIFA began overseeing the competition in 1991. Since 1982, UEFA
has governed the European games.
, the governing body of football in France. Stade Reims
was the best team in the country throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, thus constituted much of the French national squad. For the non-official World Cup in 1978 in Taiwan
, the team included the entire Reims squad. The team shared the title with Finland
, who never actually played the final. Due to receiving minimal support from the French Football Federation, who ultimately looked at women's football as not being highly regarded, France struggled in international competition failing to advance past the first round of qualification
in both the 1984 and 1987 UEFA Women's Championship. Francis Coché, who managed the team during these failures, was later replaced by Aimé Mignot
. Mignot helped the team finally get past the first round, however, in the quarterfinals
, they lost to Italy
, which meant they wouldn't appear at the 1989 UEFA Women's Championship
. Despite the initial positives, Mignot failed to continue his success with France failing to qualify for both the 1991 and 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and losing in the first round of qualification in three straight UEFA Women's Championships. After almost a decade in charge, Mignot was replaced by former women's international Élisabeth Loisel.
With Loisel in charge, the FFF, along with then France national football team
manager Aimé Jacquet
, moved the women's national team to Clairefontaine
, which had quickly become a high-level training facility for male football players. As a result of the move, younger women were afforded the same benefits from the facilities offered by Clairefontaine as the men. The success of female training led to the formation of the Centre National de Formation et d'Entraînement de Clairefontaine, which is now referred to as the female section of the Clairefontaine academy. Under the tutelage of Loisel, the first results appeared encouraging. They reached their first-ever Women's World Cup qualifying for the 2003 edition
after defeating England over two legs in a play-off game in London and again at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
. The match in Saint-Étienne
attracted more than 23,000 spectators and was broadcast by the popular French broadcasting company Canal Plus. Loisel's squad later qualified for the 2005 European Championship
, where they were knocked out in the group stage. She was eventually sacked after failing to qualify for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
. Bini had been in charge of several France female international youth sides before accepting the role and was tasked with the job of qualifying for UEFA Women's Euro 2009. Due to the success of the Clairefontaine project and the surprising emergence of the French women's first division, Division 1 Féminine, Bini inherited a team full of emerging, young, and influential talent, which included the likes of Camille Abily
, Sonia Bompastor
, Louisa Necib
, Élise Bussaglia
, Laura Georges
, and Corine Franco
. Bini was also provided with leadership from captain Sandrine Soubeyrand
. Early results under Bini were extremely positive with France finishing first in their Euro qualifying group only conceded two goals. France also performed well in friendly tournaments, such as the Nordic Cup and Cyprus Cup. At UEFA Women's Euro 2009, France were inserted into the group of death
, which consisted of themselves, world powerhouse Germany
, no. 7 ranked Norway
, and an underrated Iceland
. France finished the group with 4 points, alongside Norway, with Germany leading the group. As a result of the competition's rules, all three nations qualified for the quarterfinals. In the knockout rounds, France suffered defeat to the Netherlands
losing 5–4 on penalties after no goals were scored in regular time and extra time.
, France finished the campaign scoring 50 goals and conceded none over the course of ten matches (all wins). On 16 September 2010, France qualified for the World Cup following the team's 3–2 aggregate victory over Italy
.
At the 2011 Women's World Cup finals in Germany, France qualified to the knockout stage by finishing in second place of the first round group after 1-0 and 4-0 wins over Nigeria
and Canada
respectively, and a loss to the host team
. They went on to beat England
on penalty kicks in the quarterfinal, and then lost to the United States
in the semifinal. France finished the 2011 World Cup in fourth place and earned qualification to the Olympic football tournament
in (London, 2012
) for the first time. Striker Marie-Laure Delie
was the only multiple goal scorer for France in the tournament, while defenders Sonia Bompastor
and Laura Georges
as well as midfielder Louisa Necib
were selected to the all-star team.
and Mexico
that was played through 16–20 November 2011.
Caps and goals as of 20 November 2011 after the team's friendly match against Mexico.
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UEFA European Championships squads
Last updated: 20 November 2011
Last updated: 20 November 2011
UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualification
Friendly
UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualification
Last updated: 20 November 2011
Source: French Football Federation Women's Schedule
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
(FFF) and competes as a member of UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer Olympics, and the Algarve Cup
Algarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
.
The France women's national team initially struggled on the international stage failing to qualify for three of the first FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
s and the six straight UEFA European Championships
UEFA Women's Championship
The UEFA European Women's Championship, also called the UEFA Women's Euro and unofficially the "European Cup", held every fourth year, is the main competition in women's association football between national teams of the UEFA Confederation...
before reaching the quarter-finals in the 1997 edition of the competition
1997 UEFA Women's Championship
The 1997 UEFA Women's Championship, also referred to as WOMEN'S EURO 1997 was a football tournament held in 1997 in Norway and Sweden. The UEFA Women's Championship is a regular tournament involving European national teams from countries affiliated to UEFA, the European governing body, who have...
. However, since the beginning of the new millennium
Millennium
A millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
, France have become a mid-tier national team and one of the most consistent in Europe
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
having qualified for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003 and reaching the quarter-finals in two of the three European Championships held since 2000. In 2011, France recorded a fourth-place finish at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup; its best finish overall at the competition.
The current manager of the national team is Bruno Bini
Bruno Bini
Bruno Bini is a former French football player and the current manager of the French women's national team having managed the team since February 2007.-External links:*...
. Bini is a former player and has managed all levels of French international women's football beginning with the under-16 team in 1993. He has been in charge of the team since February 2007 when he replaced Elisabeth Loisel following her failure to qualify for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. The current captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of the national team is 37-year old midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
Sandrine Soubeyrand
Sandrine Soubeyrand
Sandrine Soubeyrand is a French football player who currently plays for French club Juvisy of the Division 1 Féminine. Soubeyrand plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team. On 29 October 2009, she earned her record 143rd career international cap in a match...
. On 29 October 2009, Soubeyrand earned her record 143rd career international cap in a match against Estonia
Estonia women's national football team
The Estonia women's national team is controlled by the Estonian Football Association. The team is composed of players from the domestic league.-World Cup record:-European Championship record:*1984 to 1991 – Did not enter, was part of Soviet Union...
. The achievement surpassed French men's international
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram is a retired professional football defender and is the most capped player in the history of the France national team, and one of the twenty most capped players of all time.He played at the top flight in France, Italy and Spain for over 15 seasons, including ten in the Serie A with both...
as the nation's most capped football player. As of July 2011, France is ranked No. 7 in the FIFA Women's World Rankings
FIFA Women's World Rankings
The FIFA Women's World Rankings for football were introduced in 2003, with the first rankings published in March of that year, as a follow-on to the existing FIFA World Rankings for men...
.
Early history
In 1919, a women's football championship was established in France by the Fédération des Sociétés Féminines Sportives de France (FSFSF). On 29 April 1920, a team led by French women's football pioneer Alice MilliatAlice Milliat
Alice Milliat was a pioneer of women's sport in France and around the world. Her lobbying on behalf of female athletes forced the inclusion of women's events in the Olympic Games....
traveled to England and played its first international match against English team Dick, Kerr's Ladies
Dick, Kerr's Ladies
Dick, Kerr's Ladies F.C. were one of the most famous early women's association football teams. The team was founded in Preston, Lancashire, England as a works' team for a company, Dick, Kerr & Co., owned by two Scots: W.B. Dick and John Kerr...
. The match, held in Preston, attracted more than 25,000 spectators. France won the match 2–0 and ended its tour with two wins, one draw, and one defeat. The following year, a return match in France at the Stade Pershing
Stade Pershing
Stade Pershing was a multi-purpose stadium in Vincennes, France. It was used mostly for football matches and hosted the final of the Coupe de France on four occasions. It also hosted some of the football and rugby matches during the 1924 Summer Olympics. The stadium was able to hold 29,000...
in Vincennes
Vincennes
Vincennes is a commune in the Val-de-Marne department in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe.-History:...
, a suburb of Paris, took place in front of over 12,000 spectators. The match ended in a 1–1 draw. In May 1921, France returned to England for friendlies. The team won its first match 5–1, then suffered three consecutive defeats. In October 1921, the English team returned to France contesting matches in Paris and Le Havre
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
with both matches ending in stalemates. Despite women's football in England being prohibited by The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
in December 1921, France continued to go there on tour for matches. A victory for the French in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
was followed by 0–0 draws in Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and Falmouth
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
. By 1932, the female game had been called to an end and the women's league formed in 1919 by the FSFSF was discontinued. The last match by the FSFSF international team was another scoreless draw against Belgium
Belgium women's national football team
The Belgium women's national football team represents Belgium in international women's football. They are currently 33rd at the FIFA Women's World Rankings.-World Cup record:- UEFA Women's Championship Record :*1984 : did not qualify...
on 3 April 1932.
Throughout the late 1960s in France, particularly in Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
, local players worked hard to promote awareness and the acceptance of women's football. A year before getting officially sanctioned, France took part in a makeshift European Cup
European Cup (athletics)
The European Cup is a now defunct athletics competition, replaced by the European Team Championships from 2009 onwards. The Europa Cup saw most of the major nations of Europe compete. Originally known as the Bruno Zauli Cup, it first took place in Stuttgart and Kassel , Germany in 1965...
against England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
, Denmark
Denmark women's national football team
The Denmark women's national football team represents Denmark in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Danish Football Association .-World Cup:*1970 : Winner *1971 : Winner...
, and Italy
Italy women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
. The tournament was won by the Italians. The Federal Council of the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
officially reinstated women's football in 1970 and France played its first official international match on 17 April 1971 against the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
in Hazebrouck
Hazebrouck
-Communications:The town enjoys excellent rail connections, with frequent daily services to Lille and Paris, some by High Speed Line. There is a small international airport, concentrating on business flights, at Merville-Calonne just 12 kilometre / 8 miles away...
. That same year, France took part in the unofficial 1971 Women's World Cup, held in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The ladies continued the pirate games, which just made it into the margins of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
's records, until FIFA began overseeing the competition in 1991. Since 1982, UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
has governed the European games.
Reinstatement
In 1975, the women's football league was officially reinstated, this time with backing from the French Football FederationFrench Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
, the governing body of football in France. Stade Reims
Stade Reims
Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season...
was the best team in the country throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, thus constituted much of the French national squad. For the non-official World Cup in 1978 in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, the team included the entire Reims squad. The team shared the title with Finland
Finland women's national football team
The Finland women's national football team represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland , reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark...
, who never actually played the final. Due to receiving minimal support from the French Football Federation, who ultimately looked at women's football as not being highly regarded, France struggled in international competition failing to advance past the first round of qualification
1987 European Competition for Women's Football qualification
The qualification for the 1987 European Competition for Women's Football was held between September 26, 1984 & October 12, 1986. The first-placed teams qualified.Group 1Group 2Group 3Group 4-Group 1:----------------...
in both the 1984 and 1987 UEFA Women's Championship. Francis Coché, who managed the team during these failures, was later replaced by Aimé Mignot
Aimé Mignot
Aimé Mignot is a French football defender who played for Aix and Lyon.He coached Lyon, Angers, Alès and the France women's national football team.-References:...
. Mignot helped the team finally get past the first round, however, in the quarterfinals
1989 European Competition for Women's Football qualification
The qualification for the 1989 European Competition for Women's Football was held between September 10, 1987 and December 17, 1988. The winners of the quarter-finals qualified.- Group 1 :------------------------------------------------...
, they lost to Italy
Italy women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
, which meant they wouldn't appear at the 1989 UEFA Women's Championship
1989 European Competition for Women's Football
The 1989 European Competition for Women's Football took place in West Germany. It was won by the hosts in a final against defending champions Norway...
. Despite the initial positives, Mignot failed to continue his success with France failing to qualify for both the 1991 and 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and losing in the first round of qualification in three straight UEFA Women's Championships. After almost a decade in charge, Mignot was replaced by former women's international Élisabeth Loisel.
With Loisel in charge, the FFF, along with then France national football team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
manager Aimé Jacquet
Aimé Jacquet
Aimé Étienne Jacquet is a French football coach and former player, and manager of the France national football team when they won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.-Biography:...
, moved the women's national team to Clairefontaine
Clairefontaine
Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre , commonly referred to as INF Clairefontaine , INF, or simply Clairefontaine, is the national association football centre that specializes in training French football players...
, which had quickly become a high-level training facility for male football players. As a result of the move, younger women were afforded the same benefits from the facilities offered by Clairefontaine as the men. The success of female training led to the formation of the Centre National de Formation et d'Entraînement de Clairefontaine, which is now referred to as the female section of the Clairefontaine academy. Under the tutelage of Loisel, the first results appeared encouraging. They reached their first-ever Women's World Cup qualifying for the 2003 edition
FIFA Women's World Cup 2003
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 was held in the United States and won by Germany. The tournament was originally scheduled for China. On May 3, 2003 the tournament was abruptly moved to the United States, as a result of the 2003 SARS outbreak in China...
after defeating England over two legs in a play-off game in London and again at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard is a multi-purpose stadium in Saint-Étienne, France. It is used primarily for football matches, and tournaments such as the 1984 European Football Championship, the Football World Cup 1998 and the Confederations Cup 2003. It is also used for rugby union, and was a venue at...
. The match in Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
attracted more than 23,000 spectators and was broadcast by the popular French broadcasting company Canal Plus. Loisel's squad later qualified for the 2005 European Championship
2005 UEFA Women's Championship
The 2005 UEFA Women's Championship, also referred to as WOMEN'S EURO 2005 , was a football tournament for women held from 5 June to 19 June 2005 in Lancashire, England. The UEFA Women's Championship is a regular tournament involving European national teams from countries affiliated to UEFA, the...
, where they were knocked out in the group stage. She was eventually sacked after failing to qualify for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Team under Bruno Bini
Loisel was replaced by former football player and now coach Bruno BiniBruno Bini
Bruno Bini is a former French football player and the current manager of the French women's national team having managed the team since February 2007.-External links:*...
. Bini had been in charge of several France female international youth sides before accepting the role and was tasked with the job of qualifying for UEFA Women's Euro 2009. Due to the success of the Clairefontaine project and the surprising emergence of the French women's first division, Division 1 Féminine, Bini inherited a team full of emerging, young, and influential talent, which included the likes of Camille Abily
Camille Abily
Camille Anne Françoise Abily is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays primarily as an attacking midfielder...
, Sonia Bompastor
Sonia Bompastor
Sonia Bompastor is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She primarily plays in the midfield position, preferably on the left side. Bompastor can also play in the left back position...
, Louisa Necib
Louisa Necib
Louisa Nécib is a French football player who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a central attacking midfielder and is described as a "gifted playmaker" who "possesses superb technique". Nécib is also known for her "elegant possession, sublime passing...
, Élise Bussaglia
Élise Bussaglia
Élise Bussaglia is a French football player who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team...
, Laura Georges
Laura Georges
Laura Stéphanie Georges is a French football player who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She serves as the first-choice captain of her club and plays primarily as a central defender, but can also be utilized as a defensive midfielder...
, and Corine Franco
Corine Franco
Corine Cécile Franco is a French football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. Franco serves as vice-captain of her club and plays as a physical, yet creative defensive midfielder, often acting as a deep-lying playmaker...
. Bini was also provided with leadership from captain Sandrine Soubeyrand
Sandrine Soubeyrand
Sandrine Soubeyrand is a French football player who currently plays for French club Juvisy of the Division 1 Féminine. Soubeyrand plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team. On 29 October 2009, she earned her record 143rd career international cap in a match...
. Early results under Bini were extremely positive with France finishing first in their Euro qualifying group only conceded two goals. France also performed well in friendly tournaments, such as the Nordic Cup and Cyprus Cup. At UEFA Women's Euro 2009, France were inserted into the group of death
Group of death
A group of death in a multi-stage tournament is a group which is unusually competitive, because the number of strong competitors in the group is greater than the number of qualifying places available for the next phase of the tournament...
, which consisted of themselves, world powerhouse Germany
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
, no. 7 ranked Norway
Norway women's national football team
The Norway women's national football team represents Norway in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Norway, are former European, World and Olympic champions and thus one of the most successful national teams...
, and an underrated Iceland
Iceland women's national football team
The Iceland women's national football team represents Iceland in international women's football. It is currently ranked as the 15th best national team in the world by FIFA...
. France finished the group with 4 points, alongside Norway, with Germany leading the group. As a result of the competition's rules, all three nations qualified for the quarterfinals. In the knockout rounds, France suffered defeat to the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
losing 5–4 on penalties after no goals were scored in regular time and extra time.
2011 Women's World Cup
Bini's next task was to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup after the disappointment of four years earlier. In the team's qualifying group2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 1
The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification UEFA Group 1 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. The group comprised France, Iceland, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Croatia and Estonia...
, France finished the campaign scoring 50 goals and conceded none over the course of ten matches (all wins). On 16 September 2010, France qualified for the World Cup following the team's 3–2 aggregate victory over Italy
Italy women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
.
At the 2011 Women's World Cup finals in Germany, France qualified to the knockout stage by finishing in second place of the first round group after 1-0 and 4-0 wins over Nigeria
Nigeria women's national football team
The Nigeria national women's football team, nicknamed the Super Falcons, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation...
and Canada
Canada women's national soccer team
The Canada women's national soccer team is overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association. The team reached its all-time high of 6th in the March 2011 rankings. The team reached international prominence finishing in 4th place at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003, losing to their archrival American team...
respectively, and a loss to the host team
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
. They went on to beat England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
on penalty kicks in the quarterfinal, and then lost to the United States
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
in the semifinal. France finished the 2011 World Cup in fourth place and earned qualification to the Olympic football tournament
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
in (London, 2012
Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in London and several other cities in the United Kingdom, from 25 July to 11 August. The finals will be played at Wembley Stadium. Associations affiliated with FIFA are invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23...
) for the first time. Striker Marie-Laure Delie
Marie-Laure Delie
Marie-Laure Delie is a French football player who currently plays for Montpellier of the Division 1 Féminine...
was the only multiple goal scorer for France in the tournament, while defenders Sonia Bompastor
Sonia Bompastor
Sonia Bompastor is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She primarily plays in the midfield position, preferably on the left side. Bompastor can also play in the left back position...
and Laura Georges
Laura Georges
Laura Stéphanie Georges is a French football player who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She serves as the first-choice captain of her club and plays primarily as a central defender, but can also be utilized as a defensive midfielder...
as well as midfielder Louisa Necib
Louisa Necib
Louisa Nécib is a French football player who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a central attacking midfielder and is described as a "gifted playmaker" who "possesses superb technique". Nécib is also known for her "elegant possession, sublime passing...
were selected to the all-star team.
Current squad
The following players were called up to participate in friendly matches against UruguayUruguay women's national football team
The Uruguay women's national football team represents Uruguay in international women's football.The women's football section of the AUF born in 1996 and the first official competition of the national team took place in the 1998 South American Championship...
and Mexico
Mexico women's national football team
The Mexico women's national football team represents Mexico in international women's football competition and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation. In the 1970s, the team gained popularity, with Mexico finishing 3rd in a unofficial Women's World Cup held in Italy...
that was played through 16–20 November 2011.
Caps and goals as of 20 November 2011 after the team's friendly match against Mexico.
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Recent call-ups
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Previous squads
FIFA Women's World Cup squads- 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup – France
- 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup – France
UEFA European Championships squads
- UEFA Women's Euro 2009 – France
Most capped French players
| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandrine Soubeyrand Sandrine Soubeyrand Sandrine Soubeyrand is a French football player who currently plays for French club Juvisy of the Division 1 Féminine. Soubeyrand plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team. On 29 October 2009, she earned her record 143rd career international cap in a match... |
1997–present | 174 | 18 |
| 2 | Sonia Bompastor Sonia Bompastor Sonia Bompastor is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She primarily plays in the midfield position, preferably on the left side. Bompastor can also play in the left back position... |
1997–present | 140 | 16 |
| 3 | Corinne Diacre | 1993–2005 | 121 | 14 |
| 4 | Stéphanie Mugneret-Béghé | 1992–2005 | 116 | 14 |
| 5 | Marinette Pichon | 1994–2006 | 112 | 81 |
| 6 | Hoda Lattaf Hoda Lattaf Hoda Lattaf is a French soccer player who plays in attack. She currently plays for Montpellier in the top French league and is one of the leading players for the France national team, and was seen as the preferred partner for Marinette Pichon until the latter decided to retire from international... |
1997–2007 | 111 | 31 |
| = | Laura Georges Laura Georges Laura Stéphanie Georges is a French football player who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She serves as the first-choice captain of her club and plays primarily as a central defender, but can also be utilized as a defensive midfielder... |
2001–present | 111 | 3 |
| 8 | Élise Bussaglia Élise Bussaglia Élise Bussaglia is a French football player who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team... |
2003–present | 92 | 20 |
| = | Peggy Provost | 1998–2006 | 92 | 2 |
| 10 | Camille Abily Camille Abily Camille Anne Françoise Abily is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays primarily as an attacking midfielder... |
2003–present | 88 | 22 |
Top France goalscorers
| # | Player | Career | Goals | Caps | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marinette Pichon | 1994–2008 | 81 | 112 | 0.72 |
| 2 | Hoda Lattaf Hoda Lattaf Hoda Lattaf is a French soccer player who plays in attack. She currently plays for Montpellier in the top French league and is one of the leading players for the France national team, and was seen as the preferred partner for Marinette Pichon until the latter decided to retire from international... |
1997–2007 | 31 | 111 | 0.27 |
| 3 | Marie-Laure Delie Marie-Laure Delie Marie-Laure Delie is a French football player who currently plays for Montpellier of the Division 1 Féminine... |
2009–present | 29 | 31 | 0.93 |
| 4 | Gaëtane Thiney Gaëtane Thiney Gaëtane Iza Laure Thiney is a French football player who currently plays for French club Juvisy of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as an attacking midfielder, but can also operate in the striker position... |
2007–present | 28 | 61 | 0.45 |
| 5 | Camille Abily Camille Abily Camille Anne Françoise Abily is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays primarily as an attacking midfielder... |
2001–present | 22 | 88 | 0.25 |
| 6 | Élise Bussaglia Élise Bussaglia Élise Bussaglia is a French football player who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team... |
2003–present | 20 | 92 | 0.21 |
| 7 | Élodie Thomis Élodie Thomis Élodie Ginette Thomis is a French football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays either a winger or striker and is described as a player who possesses pace comparable to that of French men's internationals Thierry Henry and Sidney Govou... |
2005–present | 19 | 64 | 0.29 |
| 8 | Sandrine Soubeyrand Sandrine Soubeyrand Sandrine Soubeyrand is a French football player who currently plays for French club Juvisy of the Division 1 Féminine. Soubeyrand plays as a midfielder and is a member of the France women's national football team. On 29 October 2009, she earned her record 143rd career international cap in a match... |
1997–present | 18 | 174 | 0.10 |
| 9 | Sonia Bompastor Sonia Bompastor Sonia Bompastor is a French football player who currently plays for French club Lyon of the Division 1 Féminine. She primarily plays in the midfield position, preferably on the left side. Bompastor can also play in the left back position... |
2000–present | 17 | 140 | 0.12 |
| 10 | Eugénie Le Sommer Eugénie Le Sommer Eugénie Anne Claudine Le Sommer is a French football player who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais of the Division 1 Féminine. Le Sommer plays as a creative attacking midfielder, but often plays as a second striker for the France women's national football team. She was awarded the Bronze... |
2009–present | 15 | 47 | 0.31 |
Results
FriendlyUEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualification
Friendly
UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualification
Last updated: 20 November 2011
Source: French Football Federation Women's Schedule
Competitive record
- For single-match results of the women's national team, see French football single-season articles.
World Cup record
| Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1991 |
Did not qualify | |||||||
 1995 |
||||||||
 1999 |
||||||||
| 2003 |
Group stage | |||||||
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 2007 |
Did not qualify | |||||||
 2011 |
Fourth Place | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 2/6 | 0 Titles | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 13 |
Olympic Games record
| Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics - Women's tournament matches -Group E:-USA vs Denmark:-Sweden vs PR China:-USA vs Sweden:-Denmark vs PR China:-USA vs PR China:-Denmark vs Sweden:-Group F:-Norway vs Brazil:-Germany vs Japan:-Norway vs Germany:-Brazil vs Japan:-Norway vs Japan:... |
Did not qualify | |||||||
 2000Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra... |
||||||||
 2004Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics - Women's tournament -Seeding:-Group E:---------Group F:---------Group G:---------------------Knockout stage:-Quarter finals:-------------Semi finals:-----Bronze medal match:-Final:-Medalists:... |
||||||||
 2008 |
||||||||
 2012Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in London and several other cities in the United Kingdom, from 25 July to 11 August. The finals will be played at Wembley Stadium. Associations affiliated with FIFA are invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23... |
Qualified | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1/5 | 0 Titles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
European Championship record
| Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Host 1984 1984 European Competition for Women's Football The 1984 European Competition for Women's Football was won by Sweden on penalties against England. It comprised four qualifying groups, and the winner of each went through to the semi-finals which were played over two legs, home and away... |
Did not qualify | |||||||
 19871987 European Competition for Women's Football The 1987 European Competition for Women's Football took place in Norway. It was won by the hosts in a final against defending champions Sweden. Once again, the competition began with four qualifying groups, but this time a host nation was selected for the semi-final stage onwards after the four... |
||||||||
 19891989 European Competition for Women's Football The 1989 European Competition for Women's Football took place in West Germany. It was won by the hosts in a final against defending champions Norway... |
||||||||
 1991 |
||||||||
 1993 |
||||||||
| 1995 |
||||||||
| 1997 |
Group stage | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2001 |
Group stage | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
 2005 |
Group stage | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
 2009 |
Quarter-final | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Total | 4/10 | 0 Titles | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 24 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.
- **Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won. Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.
Coaching staff
- As of 30 April 2010.
Position Name Nationality Manager Bruno Bini Bruno BiniBruno Bini is a former French football player and the current manager of the French women's national team having managed the team since February 2007.-External links:*...Assistant manager André Barthélémy Assistant manager Corinne Diacre Goalkeeper coach Philippe Joly Physiotherapy Jean-Noël Lavaud Press Secretary Matthieu Brelle-Andrade Delegation Chief Marilou Duringer