Coach Hervé Renard, appointed in April, gave the start to several weeks of fitness and tactical work, prelude to the entry of the Blues at the World Cup, on July 23 (12:00 French time) in Sydney against Jamaica.

"Good preparation is the key to good competition. This period is crucial to live well together, to create this cohesion necessary to obtain good performances, "said the former coach of Saudi Arabia, who will play in Australia his second World Cup of the season after that of the men.

The charismatic technician, aged 54, has summoned 26 players for this camp in the den of French football. He will rule out two outfield players among the 22 selected, after about two weeks of training, then one of the four goalkeepers just before the start of the tournament, to obtain a final list set at 23 players.

"The collective balance, the state of mind, the way of behaving in the group will be the most important criteria" to decide between the candidates, detailed Hervé Renard, aware that "the slightest grain of sand can disturb the balance of a group".

Women's France team coach Hervé Renard at a press conference on June 20, 2023 in Clairefontaine © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Henry "teased"

Under the Yvelines sun, the lucky ones took up residence with a smile in the emblematic Château de Clairefontaine, a sign of a team of France wanting to be relaxed after several years of internal storms. The turmoil led to the departure of former coach Corinne Diacre in March, after a historic sling of several major players.

In front of some photographers, the most scrutinized international was not captain Wendie Renard or top scorer Eugenie Le Sommer but Amandine Henry, dismissed under Deacon since December 2020 but recalled by Renard to play her third World Cup.

"I teased her a little, I said welcome," Renard smiled at a news conference.

At 33, the former captain will have to prove that she is in legs, after several months away from the field because of a dispute with Olympique Lyonnais, which she left in early June for the Californian franchise Angel City.

"It's up to her to show that she can impose herself by her experience but also by her footballing qualities. But I think there will be no problem on that side," said his coach.

"Green light" for Diani

Renard was also reassuring about the physical condition of Kadidiatou Diani, injured in a shoulder at the end of March. "The lights are green" for the top scorer of D1, he promised, announcing all the same that "caution will be required" at the beginning of the gathering.

France midfielders Kadidatou Diani and Oriane Jean-Francois arrive in Clairefontaine, June 20, 2023 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

The management of the Blues knows how valuable the Parisian will be in the perspective of the World Cup, in an attack deprived of two major assets, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino, injured. The latter also provides care at the Clairefontaine medical center and will be able to visit her partners in the coming days.

After a first day dedicated to medical tests, the Blues embark on a two-week preparation in the Yvelines, before a first friendly match on July 6 in Dublin against Ireland. They will be entitled to two breaks of 48 hours during this first part of the internship.

The departure for Australia is scheduled for July 8, with a final preparation match in the form of a test against the Australians, on July 14 (11:30) in Melbourne.

In a Group F with Jamaica, Brazil and Panama, Les Bleues hope to step up in the tournament. All ticked the same date, August 20 in Sydney for the grand final.

© 2023 AFP