France makes their return to the Olympics stage as the host of the 2024 edition after a seven-year absence. Les Bleues will also want to reward their manager Hervé Renard in his last tournament with the side having made them a thoroughly competitive team since taking charge before the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Making only their third appearance, the host will want to make the tournament memorable by possessing one of the best attacks with captain Wendie Renard as reliable as ever at the back. The team has the perfect mix of players in their prime, youth and experience yet again. France will face tricky opposition in Canada, Colombia and New Zealand in Group A of the 2024 Olympics.
History
Before hosting the 2024 edition, the France women’s football team appeared in two more Olympics. They achieved their highest standing in their debut campaign in the 2012 Olympics hosted in London, ending as fourth after losing the Bronze final to Canada. The same opponent eliminated them from the quarterfinals in the following edition whom they will face again on home soil in their third participation in the tournament history.
France Squad for Olympics 2024
Goalkeepers: Constance Picaud (Fleury), Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus)
Defenders: Maëlle Lakrar (Real Madrid), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Juventus), De Almeida (PSG), Sakina Karchaoui (PSG), Selma Bacha (Lyon), Griedge Mbock (PSG)
Midfielders: Amandine Henry (Utah Royals), Grace Geyoro (PSG), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid), Kenza Dali (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Le Sommer (Lyon), Delphine Cascarino (Lyon), Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG), Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
Captain: Wendie Renard
Head Coach: Hervé Renard
How will France line up at the Olympics 2024?
Elisa De Almeida has been used as a right-back mostly in the Euro qualifiers and the 26-year-old should continue in the role with Maëlle Lakrar joining Renard at the heart of the defence. Sakina Karchaoui will be the favourite to start on the left flank with Selma Bacha reprising her impact-sub role. Amandine Henry has a wealth of experience but the trio of Grace Geyoro Sandie Toletti and Kenza Dali is unshakble in the middle of the park. Eugénie Le Sommer will earn her 193rd cap in the tournament even though the first choice will be the lethal Marie-Antoinette Katoto, back in the fray and firing. However, Kadidiatou Diani will remain the star of the show with her skills, scintillating pace and goals.
France Fixtures for the Olympics 2024
Friday, 25 July 2024
France vs Colombia - Stade de Lyon, Lyon (00:30)
Monday, 29 July 2024
France vs Canada - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne (00:30)
Thursday, 1 August 2024
New Zealand vs France - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne (00:30)
Prediction
Despite the opposition in the group capable enough to cause an upset, France should make it to the quarterfinals as group winners. Anything other than that will be a surprise to this formidable team. The real challenge for them will be against the tournament favorites as they will likely face Brazil, Japan or Spain from Group C. France needs to find the edge in their mentality to fight against such opponents which has been lacking sometimes to break their last-eight curse in major competitions. Reaching the semifinals will set a new record for the team but that is the best they can achieve.
