France women's national football team facts for kids
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Nickname(s) | Les Bleues (The Blues) | |||||||
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Association | Fédération Française de Football (FFF) | |||||||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | |||||||
Head coach | Laurent Bonadei | |||||||
Captain | Griedge Mbock Bathy | |||||||
Most caps | Eugénie Le Sommer (200) | |||||||
Top scorer | Eugénie Le Sommer (94) | |||||||
FIFA code | FRA | |||||||
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FIFA ranking | ||||||||
Current | 3 ![]() |
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Highest | 2 (June 2024) | |||||||
Lowest | 11 (December 2024 – March 2025) | |||||||
First international | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Hazebrouck, France; 17 April 1971) |
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Biggest win | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Cesson-Sévigné, France; 14 May 1998) ![]() ![]() (Le Mans, France; 28 November 2013) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Bad Kreuznach, Germany; 2 September 1992) |
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World Cup | ||||||||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2003) | |||||||
Best result | Fourth place (2011) | |||||||
Olympic Games | ||||||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 2012) | |||||||
Best result | Fourth place (2012) | |||||||
European Championship | ||||||||
Appearances | 8 (first in 1997) | |||||||
Best result | Semi-finals (2022) | |||||||
Nations League Finals | ||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2024) | |||||||
Best result | Runners-up (2024) | |||||||
Medal record
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The France women's national football team, often called Les Bleues (The Blues), plays for France in international women's football. The team is managed by the French Football Federation (FFF). France competes in major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro, and the Summer Olympics.
The team faced challenges early on, missing several big tournaments. However, since the year 2000, France has become one of the strongest teams in Europe. They played in their first FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003. In 2011, they achieved their best World Cup result, finishing fourth. The team also won the 2012 Cyprus Cup and placed fourth at the 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament.
Laurent Bonadei became the team's manager in August 2024. The current captain is defender Griedge Mbock Bathy.
Contents
History of French Women's Football
How it Started
In 1919, a women's football league began in France. It was set up by the Fédération des Sociétés Féminines Sportives de France (FSFSF). On April 29, 1920, a French team played its first international match in England. They played against Dick, Kerr's Ladies and won 2–0. Over 25,000 people watched this game in Preston.
The French team had a good tour, winning two games, drawing one, and losing one. A return match in France drew over 12,000 fans. Even when women's football was banned in England in 1921, French teams continued to play there. However, by 1932, the women's league in France was stopped.
The Ban and Return
In 1941, the Vichy government banned women's football. They said it was "unsuitable" and "harmful" for women. For almost 30 years, there was no official national team. But some local groups kept the sport alive.
In the late 1960s, women's football started to grow again. The French Football Federation officially brought it back in 1970. France played its first official international game on April 17, 1971, against the Netherlands. Jocelyne Ratignier and Marie-Claire Caron-Harant scored in that game.
Building the Team
In 1975, the women's football league was officially restarted with support from the FFF. Stade Reims was the top team in France during the 1970s and early 1980s. Many players from Reims were part of the national team.
However, the French Football Federation did not give much support to women's football. This made it hard for France to succeed in international games. They failed to qualify for several European Championships and World Cups.
After many years, Aimé Mignot became the manager. He helped the team improve, but they still struggled to reach major tournaments. In 1997, Élisabeth Loisel, a former player, took over as manager.
Under Loisel, the FFF moved the women's team to Clairefontaine. This was a top training center for male players. Young women players now had the same great training facilities. This led to the creation of a special female section at the Clairefontaine academy.
The team's performance improved. They qualified for their first-ever Women's World Cup in 2003. They beat England in a play-off game, with over 23,000 fans watching in Saint-Étienne. Loisel's team also qualified for the 2005 European Championship.
The Bruno Bini Era
Bruno Bini became the coach in 2007. He had coached many French youth teams before. Bini took over a team with many talented young players. These included Camille Abily, Sonia Bompastor, Louisa Necib, Élise Bussaglia, Laura Georges, and Corine Franco. The team's captain was Sandrine Soubeyrand.
Under Bini, France played very well. They won their Euro qualifying group without giving up many goals. In the UEFA Women's Euro 2009, they were in a tough group but still made it to the quarter-finals. They lost to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout.
2011 Women's World Cup Success
Bini's next goal was to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. In their qualifying group, France won all ten matches, scoring 50 goals and not letting in any. They qualified for the World Cup by beating Italy.
At the 2011 World Cup in Germany, France finished second in their group. They beat Nigeria and Canada, but lost to the host team, Germany. In the quarter-finals, they beat England in a penalty shootout. They lost to the United States in the semi-finals. France finished fourth, which was their best World Cup result ever. This also earned them a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, their first time in the Olympic football tournament.
A Golden Era for French Football
France has been very successful in women's football recently. In the UEFA Women's Euro 2013, France won their group. However, they lost to Denmark in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals.
2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
At the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, France was considered a favorite to win. They were in Group F with England, Mexico, and Colombia. France won their first game against England 1–0. But they were surprised by a 2–0 loss to Colombia. They then beat Mexico 5–0 to win their group and move to the knockout stage.
In the knockout round, France easily beat South Korea 3–0. In the quarter-finals, they played against Germany. France played very well but couldn't score enough goals. Louisa Nécib scored for France, but Germany tied the game with a penalty. The game went to a penalty shootout, where France lost 4–5 and was knocked out.
UEFA Women's Euro 2017
France won all their qualifying matches for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017. Many fans came to watch their home games. In the tournament, France won one game and drew two in their group. They were then defeated by England in the quarter-finals.
2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
France hosted the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. As hosts, they automatically qualified and were seen as a strong contender to win. They won all three of their group games against South Korea, Norway, and Nigeria.
In the Round of 16, France beat Brazil 2–1 in extra time. However, they lost to the United States 2–1 in the quarter-finals. This World Cup was important because many women's teams used it to speak out for equal pay between men and women in football.
Recent Managers
Corinne Diacre managed the team from 2017 to 2023. Under her, France won the SheBelieves Cup in 2017. She was replaced by Hervé Renard in March 2023. Renard coached the team until August 2024, when Laurent Bonadei took over.
Team Identity
Nicknames
The France women's national football team is often called "Les Bleues", which means "The Blues". This nickname comes from the blue color of their jerseys.
Overall Team Performance
FIFA Women's World Cup Record
France has played in 5 FIFA Women's World Cups. Their best finish was fourth place in 2011.
FIFA Women's World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
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Did not qualify | UEFA Euro 1991 | |||||||||||||
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UEFA Euro 1995 | ||||||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | |||||||||
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Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 10 | |
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Did not qualify | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 4 | ||||||||
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Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 2 | |
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Quarter-finals | 5th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 4 | |
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6th | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | Qualified as host | |||||||
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6th | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 3 | ||
Total | 5/9 | 0 Titles | 24 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 44 | 24 | 56 | 45 | 6 | 5 | 201 | 29 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.
Olympic Games Record
France has played in 3 Olympic football tournaments. Their best finish was fourth place in 2012.
Summer Olympics record | ||||||||
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Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 8 |
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Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
Total | 3/8 | 0 Titles | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 24 | 16 |
UEFA Women's Championship Record
France has played in 8 UEFA Women's Championships. Their best finish was reaching the semi-finals in 2022.
UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
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Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rnk | |
1984 | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | – | |||||||||
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6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 15 | |||||||||||
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10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 3 | |||||||||||
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4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | |||||||||||
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6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | |||||||||||
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Group stage | 6th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 6 | |||
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6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | ||||
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6th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 7 | ||||
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Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 2 | |||
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5th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | ||||
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6th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | ||||
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Semi-finals | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | – | ||
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Qualified | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | ![]() |
3rd | ||||||||
Total | 8/14 | 0 Titles | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 34 | 96 | 63 | 15 | 18 | 246 | 71 | 3rd |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
UEFA Women's Nations League Record
France was the runner-up in the 2024 UEFA Women's Nations League.
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Promoted at end of season |
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No movement at end of season |
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Relegated at end of season |
* | Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs |
Results and Upcoming Matches
- Here are the results from the last year and any games scheduled for the future.
Win Draw Loss
2024 Matches
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Republic of Ireland ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Cork, Ireland |
Stadium: Páirc Uí Chaoimh Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain) |
25 July Olympics Group Stage | France ![]() |
3–2 | ![]() |
Décines-Charpieu |
21:00 |
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Stadium: Stade de Lyon Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
28 July Olympics Group Stage | France ![]() |
1–2 | ![]() |
Saint-Étienne |
21:00 |
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Stadium: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) |
31 July Olympics Group Stage | New Zealand ![]() |
1–2 | ![]() |
Décines-Charpieu |
21:00 | Stadium: Stade de Lyon Referee: Edina Alves Batista (Brazil) |
3 August Olympics Quarter-finals | France ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Nantes |
21:00 | Stadium: Stade de la Beaujoire Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
25 October Friendly | France ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Montbéliard |
21:10 |
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Stadium: Stade Auguste-Bonal Referee: Lizzy van der Helm (Netherlands) |
29 October Friendly | Switzerland ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Geneva |
21:00 | Gago ![]() |
Stadium: Stade de Genève Referee: Silvia Gasperotti (Italy) |
30 November Friendly | France ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Angers |
21:10 UTC+1 |
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Onumonu ![]() |
Stadium: Stade Raymond Kopa Referee: Riem Hussein (Germany) |
3 December Friendly | France ![]() |
2–4 | ![]() |
Nice |
21:00 | Stadium: Stade de Nice Attendance: 6,233 Referee: Ionela Peşu (Romania) |
2025 Matches
21 February 2025–26 Nations League | France ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Toulouse |
21:10 | Katoto ![]() |
Stadium: Toulouse Stadium |
4 April 2025–26 Nations League | Switzerland ![]() |
0–2 | ![]() |
St. Gallen |
20:00 | Stadium: Kybunpark |
20 June Friendly | France ![]() |
5–0 | ![]() |
Valenciennes |
21:10 | Stadium: Stade du Hainaut |
27 June Friendly | France ![]() |
3–2 | ![]() |
Grenoble |
21:10 | Stadium: Stade des Alpes Attendance: 13,100 Referee: Ewa Augustyn (Poland) |
5 July UEFA Euro 2025 Group Stage | France ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Zurich |
20:00 BST | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 22,542 Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden) |
9 July UEFA Euro 2025 Group Stage | France ![]() |
4–1 | ![]() |
St. Gallen |
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Stadium: Arena St.Gallen Attendance: 15,886 Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland) |
13 July UEFA Euro 2025 Group Stage | Netherlands ![]() |
2–5 | ![]() |
Basel |
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Stadium: St. Jakob-Park Attendance: 34,133 Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia) |
24 October 2025 Nations League Semi-finals | Germany ![]() |
v | ![]() |
26 November 2025 UEFA Nations League 3rd/F | France ![]() |
v | TBD | Reims |
Coaching Staff
Current Coaches
- As of December 1, 2024.
Position | Name |
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Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coaches | ![]() ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Physical trainer | ![]() |
Mental trainer | ![]() |
Past Managers
Pierre Geoffroy (1971–1978)
Francis-Pierre Coché (1978–1987)
Aimé Mignot (1987–1997)
Élisabeth Loisel (1997–2007)
Bruno Bini (2007–2013)
Philippe Bergeroo (2013–2016)
Olivier Echouafni (2016–2017)
Corinne Diacre (2017–2023)
Hervé Renard (2023–2024)
Laurent Bonadei (2024–present)
Players
Current Team Squad
The following 23 players were chosen for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.
Player information is correct as of July 13, 2025, after the match against Netherlands.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Justine Lerond | 29 February 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | GK | Pauline Peyraud-Magnin | 17 March 1992 | 68 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | GK | Constance Picaud | 5 July 1998 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Thiniba Samoura | 11 February 2004 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Maëlle Lakrar | 27 May 2000 | 31 | 3 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Alice Sombath | 16 October 2003 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Élisa De Almeida | 11 January 1998 | 46 | 5 | ![]() |
7 | DF | Sakina Karchaoui | 26 January 1996 | 92 | 4 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Selma Bacha | 9 November 2000 | 49 | 3 | ![]() |
19 | DF | Griedge Mbock Bathy (captain) | 26 February 1995 | 92 | 8 | ![]() |
22 | DF | Melween N'Dongala | 6 September 2004 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | DF | Lou Bogaert | 25 June 2004 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
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6 | MF | Sandie Toletti | 13 July 1995 | 72 | 4 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Grace Geyoro | 2 July 1997 | 102 | 22 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Amel Majri | 25 January 1993 | 81 | 13 | ![]() |
18 | MF | Oriane Jean-François | 14 August 2001 | 16 | 0 | ![]() |
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9 | FW | Melvine Malard | 28 June 2000 | 31 | 9 | ![]() |
11 | FW | Kadidiatou Diani | 1 April 1995 | 117 | 31 | ![]() |
12 | FW | Marie-Antoinette Katoto | 1 November 1998 | 58 | 40 | ![]() |
14 | FW | Clara Mateo | 28 November 1997 | 40 | 8 | ![]() |
15 | FW | Kelly Gago | 5 January 1999 | 7 | 2 | ![]() |
17 | FW | Sandy Baltimore | 19 February 2000 | 46 | 10 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Delphine Cascarino | 5 February 1997 | 78 | 16 | ![]() |
Recent Players Called Up
These players have also been called to the squad in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Marie Petiteau | 12 June 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Marie-Morgane Sieber | 15 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Solène Durand | 20 November 1994 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 Summer Olympics |
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DF | Wendie Renard | 20 July 1990 | 168 | 39 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Estelle Cascarino | 5 February 1997 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jade Le Guilly | 18 June 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Maelys Mpomé | 23 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ève Périsset | 24 December 1994 | 61 | 4 | Unattached | 2024 Summer Olympics |
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MF | Kenza Dali | 31 July 1991 | 76 | 13 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Margaux Le Mouël | 8 August 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Amandine Henry | 28 September 1989 | 109 | 14 | ![]() |
2024 Summer Olympics RET |
MF | Léa Le Garrec | 9 July 1993 | 15 | 2 | ![]() |
2024 Summer Olympics |
MF | Inès Benyahia | 26 May 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 Summer Olympics PRE |
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FW | Kessya Bussy | 19 June 2001 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Eugénie Le Sommer | 18 May 1989 | 200 | 94 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Vicki Bècho | 3 October 2003 | 19 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Naomie Feller | 6 November 2001 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Julie Dufour | 29 January 2001 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Cindy Caputo | 7 February 1999 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Louna Ribadeira | 18 August 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 Summer Olympics PRE |
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Team Records
These tables show the players with the most games played (caps) and most goals scored for France.
- Records are updated after the match against Netherlands.
- Players in bold are still playing for France.
Most Games Played
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Most Goals Scored
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Team Achievements
Major Competitions
Friendly Tournaments
- Cyprus Cup
- Winners: 2012, 2014
- SheBelieves Cup
- Winner: 2017
- Tournoi de France
- Winner: 2020, 2022, 2023
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Selección femenina de fútbol de Francia para niños