The coach announced on Tuesday the names of the 26 players summoned to prepare for the World Cup (July 20 to August 20, in Australia and New Zealand). Among them, that of the former captain, who has not worn the blue tunic since November 2020.
The surprise eviction of Corinne Deacon brought hope for a new era. It also opened the door to returns from former executives, dismissed by the former coach whose method they had denounced. After that – winner – of Eugénie Le Sommer, during an international break crowned with two successes against Colombia and Canada, the new coach of the France team, Hervé Renard, engages as expected that of Amandine Henry. The former captain of Les Bleues and Olympique Lyonnais is part of the expanded list unveiled on Tuesday June 6 to prepare for the World Cup to be held in the summer.
Since taking office, the new staff had made no secret of their desire to rely on the experience of the 33-year-old international with 93 caps and 13 goals.“It was one of my first intentions, confirmed the coach at a press conference. Then came a knee injury which prevented her from doing the first internship with us. We have endeavored to support her on an ongoing basis so that she is fit and ready for this preparation.”
Note, on the contrary, the absences of Kheira Hamraoui (33 years old, 41 caps, 3 goals), “a sporting decision and 100% personal”attested Renard, and that of the young winger Sandy Baltimore (23 years old, 23 caps, 3 goals), including “the end of the season at PSG” did not seem to convince the boss of the Blue.
Becho and Feller on the front line of the attack
The tricolor staff preferred to call for the first time the young Lyon winger Vicki Becho (19 years old) and to solicit Naomie Feller (21 years old, Real Madrid), who had appeared during the playoffs and the Tournoi de France. “I followed them carefully, these two young girls can bring enthusiasm and versatility, can play in the three positions in front, it’s important to anticipate possible withdrawals”, said fox continued.
The ups and downs of recent months in the tricolor attack – withdrawals from Marie-Antoinette Katoto, then Delphine Cascarino, uncertainties around the state of form of Kadidiatou Diani, injured in the collarbone and operated on in early April – have surely prompted the staff to increased caution. And forced him to review his copy to reconstitute a new offensive strike force. This expanded list of 26 players, which will be reduced to 23 after the “first 15 days of preparation”, must also be used to test new profiles and to gauge the states of form of each. Hervé Renard does not rule out including an off-list player in the trip to Australia and New Zealand. He also invited those absent to “to be ready”.
In the meantime, the summoned must meet on June 20 in Clairefontaine.
The list of the France team:
Goalkeepers: Mylène Chavas, Solène Durand, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Constance Picaud
Defenders: Selma Bacha, Delphine Cascarino, Elisa De Almeida, Sakina Karchaoui, Maëlle Lakrar, Eve Perisset, Wendie Renard, Aïssatou Tounkara
Midfielders: Kenza Dali, Laurina Fazer, Grace Geyoro, Amandine Henry, Oriane Jean-François, Léa Le Garrec, Amel Majri, Sandie Toletti
Forwards: Viviane Asseyi, Vicky Becho, Kadidiatou Diani, Naomie Feller, Eugenie Le Sommer, Clara Mateo