Europe 1 with AFP 19:02 p.m., March 31, 2023

Hervé Renard, the new coach of the women's France football team, held his first press conference on Friday afternoon. In particular, it unveiled its first list of players called to play two friendly matches in April. And has drawn up the ambitions of the Blues at the Women's World Cup next summer.

Just formalized as the new coach of the women's football France team, Hervé Renard held a first press conference on Friday during which he unveiled his first list. Captain Wendie Renard, who had slammed the door of the Blues last month, on the background of dissentions with the former coach Corinne Diacre, is back, as is Eugenie Le Sommer top scorer in the history of the selection which was dismissed for nearly two years. "Eugenie has an incomparable experience. When you win eight Champions Leagues at club, it's because you play at the highest level," Renard said.

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On the other hand, PSG midfielder Kheira Hamraoui is not included, as do Montpellier Marion Torrent and Charlotte Bilbault, called almost continuously by Diacre in recent years. "In the direction of returns, Lyon's Amel Majri (66 caps) finds a France group she has not attended since September 2021. A serious knee injury, then a period of maternity leave, kept her away from the Blues. Léa Le Garrec, midfielder of Fleury, will also have a new chance in selection, at 29 years old and more than five years after his last cap. The Blues must play two friendly matches against Colombia on April 7 and against Canada on April 11.

Semi-final goal at the 2023 World Cup

"The Federation gave me a list of pre-selected players including all the players, I felt that the Federation gave me the green light. What happened before, I wasn't there. It's none of my business, I focus on the present, the future," said Hervé Renard. And in particular the Women's World Cup which will take place from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. A competition where the Blues aim to "join the last square".

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"I've had a look at women's football since 2014. I always thought, 'One day, why not compete in a big competition with the women's France team?' This surprised even in my close circle. It's a question of challenge, nothing replaces major competitions in our business," continued Hervé Renard. And the former coach of Saudi Arabia already knows everything about his future protégés. "I dissected a lot of matches with the assistants. I looked at all the individual cases to get a better idea of the qualities and shortcomings of each. It was exciting because I discovered a lot of things."