Women's World Cup: discover the list of 26 Blues selected by Hervé Renard

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: FRANCK FIFE / AFP 16:51 pm, June 06, 2023

After two and a half years of absence, the former captain of the Blues Amandine Henry was summoned Tuesday by the coach Hervé Renard for the World Cup, in a pre-list very experienced but tinged with a touch of youth. At 33, the midfielder is experiencing an improbable resurrection: dismissed at the end of 2020 by former coach Corinne Diacre after a clash in the public square, remained away from the field since March against the backdrop of conflict with Olympique Lyonnais, Henry touches his third World Cup, scheduled from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Let's go to Australia
The 2️⃣6️⃣ Blues called for the #FiersdetreBleuespic.twitter.com/JIi3Z5YVJc

— Women's France Team (@equipedefranceF) June 6, 2023

Recall Amandine Henry, one of Hervé Renard's "first intentions"

Recalling it "was part of my first intentions," Renard told a news conference. With his 93 caps, this emblematic face of the France team of the 2010s is part of the preliminary list of 26 players unveiled Tuesday by Hervé Renard in the premises of the equipment manufacturer of the Blues. She will now have to prove to her coach that she deserves her place in the final list of 23 players, expected by FIFA on July 10.

>> READ ALSO – "An exceptional internship": Hervé Renard, satisfied with his debut with the Blues, now aims for the World Cup

Because Henry has not played a single game since early March, first because of an injury, then because of a sick leave taken "for personal reasons" pending her passage from Lyon to Angel City, a Californian franchise she has just joined. "Everything seems resolved, we accompanied her in a very followed way so that she is fit," warned Renard. Hired to appease the selection after several years of upheavals and a sling of the players that led to the departure of Deacon in March, he gave the top start to the first of his two missions. This is the 2023 World Cup in Oceania, where Les Bleues will dream this summer of a first international title one year before the Paris Olympics.

A bet on experience

After two months in office and two matches played in April, this passionate about major competitions - he has already played the men's World Cup at the end of 2022 with Saudi Arabia - has clearly chosen to rely on experience for his adventure on the other side of the globe. He built his team around a thirty-year-old per line: Henry in the middle, captain Wendie Renard (32 years, 144 caps) in defense and another returning in attack, Eugenie Le Sommer, successfully recalled in April.

At 34 years old, the top scorer in the history of Les Bleues (88 goals) will play like Wendie Renard her fourth World Cup and may have big offensive responsibilities, in the absence on injury of two major assets of the French attack. Star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto and winger Delphine Cascarino have indeed declared forfeit, hit in the knee like defender Griedge Mbock.

Unsurprisingly, Renard also called up the top scorer of the D1 season, Kadidiatou Diani. The Parisian (28) has been suffering since the end of March from a shoulder but she must return to the field during the preparation camp that starts on June 20 at the Clairefontaine training center.

>> READ ALSO – Women's France team: for Hervé Renard, Kheira Hamraoui "is one of the selectable players"

Without Kheira Hamraoui

After a prolific season (17 goals in D1), she will be the number 1 offensive weapon of Les Bleues in Australia, against Jamaica (July 23), Brazil (July 29) and Panama (August 2) in Group F. To complete the French attack, Hervé Renard has reserved a little surprise by leaving aside the promising Sandy Baltimore (23), who pays for his season in halftone at PSG. This benefits Naomie Feller (21) and the only novice on the list, Vicki Becho (19, Lyon), who is offered an unexpected chance to shine in the eyes of the coach to be in the 23.

In his search for experienced profiles, Renard also trusted Viviane Asseyi (29) and especially Amel Majri (30), who should travel to Australia with her daughter born in July 2022, a first with Les Bleues. As in April, the charismatic coach has however dismissed Kheira Hamraoui, yet returned under Deacon despite the frosty relations she has with some players at PSG, including Diani. Two other Parisiennes were preferred in the middle: Oriane Jean-François (21) and Laurina Fazer (19). A touch of youth at the heart of a fairly "vintage" list.