France aims to finally win a major trophy in Euro 2025, having produced the best run in their competition history last time. However, Les Bleues had to achieve the task without their two key veterans who had been part of the squad for more than a decade. The team is also clubbed in the ‘group of death’ with defending champions England, 2017 winners Netherlands and debutant Wales, making it a tough outing after two quarterfinal finishes in the Women’s World Cup and Olympics last year. Despite that, France carries a positive momentum ahead of the finals, which they want to use as motivation to impress in the competition starting in July 2025.
History
France has participated in seven UEFA Women’s European Championships since their first qualification in 1997. After failing to escape the group stage in their first three participations, Les Bleues then went on to qualify for the quarterfinals for the next three editions. Their best-ever finish in the competition came in 2022 when they reached the semifinal stage. France collected the joint-most wins in their competition history, but it was their scoring record which was eye-catching, with 10 goals scored. The side managed to top their group without losing a game and even knocked out then-holders Netherlands by beating them in the quarterfinals.
Qualification for Euro 2025
The qualifying campaign of France was highly successful, considering they topped the group ahead of Sweden and defending champions England, whom they are set to face again in the finals. Aside from a home loss against the Lionesses and a shock 3-1 defeat to bottom-placed Republic of Ireland away in the inconsequential final qualifying game, last edition’s semifinalists took full points in the remaining games and finished four points better than a playoff spot. They also have good momentum ahead of the finals, having won all of their group games in the Nations League to qualify for the finals and carry a six-game winning streak into the competition.
France squad for Euro 2025
Goalkeepers: Justine Lerond (Montpellier), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus Turin), Constance Picaud (Fleury)
Defenders: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Lou Bogaert (Paris FC), Elisa De Almeida (Paris SG), Maelle Lakrar (Real Madrid), Griedge Mbock (Paris SG), Melween N'Dongala (Paris FC), Thiniba Samoura (Paris SG), Alice Sombath (Lyon)
Midfielders: Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea), Grace Geyoro (Paris SG), Oriane Jean-Francois (Chelsea), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris SG), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandi Toletti (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Delphine Cascarino (San Diego), Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon), Kelly Gago (Everton), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Lyon), Melvine Malard (Manchester United), Clara Mateo (Paris FC)
Head Coach: Laurent Bonadei
The squad selection of France for the Women’s Euro 2025 was dominated by the omission of two key figures for the team, all-time top goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer and Captain Wendie Renard. The Lyon striker, who has a record 94 goals in 200 appearances at the international level, barely received minutes in the recently concluded group stage of the Women’s Nations League and also in the Olympics last year under the previous management. Sommer looked to be out of favour for quite some time now, while Renard’s absence is believed mainly down to fitness issues after the centre-back missed three of the past four internationals due to injury. Coach Laurent Bonadei quoted Albert Einstein to justify his selection, as insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting a different result. Bonadei said that his choice was based on giving more young players a chance in the tournament and those who suffered psychologically after the quarter-final exit in the Olympic Games hosted on their soil.
Strength
Les Bleues are once again counting on their lethal frontline to take them deep into the competition, just as they did in Euro 2022, reaching the semifinals. The attack is led by Marie-Antoinette Katoto once again, on the back of another splendid scoring domestic campaign and Kadidiatou Diani remains impressive as ever. Another player who is getting goals for fun is Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore, with five goals in six matches in the recent Nations League campaign. The team has a quality-filled midfield too, with Sakina Karchaoui relishing her role in the middle of the park alongside Sandi Toletti and Grace Geyoro. The side is youthful and talented, which will bring in high energy in the finals.
Weakness
However, the squad is lacking substantial experience and leadership qualities. While Le Sommer’s absence would not cause a dearth of goals, the 36-year-old's knowledge of the major tournament and being an impact substitute will be felt. The bigger loss is Wendie Renard as France hardly has a player to keep their defence together, or anyone vocal to uplift the team throughout the competition. Her threat on the setpieces scoring clutch goals will also be missed. It remains to be seen whether Geyoro and Toletti’s experience will be sufficient for this young team to perform well in the tournament.
How will France lineup at Euro 2025?
France's Euro 2025 opponents and fixtures
Group D
France
England
Wales
Netherlands
Group D Fixtures
6 July 2025
France vs England - Letzigrund, Zurich (00:30)
10 July 2025
France vs Wales - Letzigrund, Zurich (00:30)
14 July 2025
Netherlands vs France - St. Jakob Park, Basel (00:30)
Prediction
France could not have asked for a tougher group in the Euros with the holders England and 2017 winners Netherlands crossing their path on either side of the game against debutants Wales. They open their journey in the competition against Lionesses, fearing for the worst, even though they beat Sarina Wiegman’s side in the qualifiers, with the final group game against the Dutch expected to be a do-or-die battle. With only the top two sides from each group progressing to the knockouts, it could be an uphill task for the side lacking experienced heads to take them through to the knockouts.
However, France’s attacking prowess is key to bailing them out of any tough situation and the defence, which has kept five clean sheets in the six Nations League matches, looks promising even without Renard on the side. Also, stitching a decent winning run, Les Bleues look to be in a better position than the struggling Netherlands, who face England in their second game, to grab the second spot in the group, if not winning it. Even if France escapes the group of death, they are unlikely to make another deep run into the tournament, with Germany likely opposition in the quarterfinals if they finish second in their group.
