France are hoping to make good on what they see as a golden era for their women's national side and build on their run to the semi-finals at the last edition of the Euros.
Having gradually built their way up into contention for silverware in the 21st century, establishing themselves as perpetual quarter-finalists who just need a little bit of luck to go their way.
They got just enough of that at Euro 2022 to reach the semi-finals before falling to Germany. The two sides exchanged victories in qualifying for this year's tournament, and will clash once again in their opening game of Euro 2025.
With Wales and the Netherlands making up the rest of a tough group, it should be a very interesting summer for France...one way or the other.
France Women's Euros squad
Last France Women's squad
The squad called up to face Switzerland and Iceland in for the Nations League was as follows, note the omissions of Wendie Renard, Eugiene Le Sommer and Kenza Dali:
- GK: Justine Lerond (Montpellier)
- GK Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus)
- GK: Constance Picaud (Fleury)
- DF: Selma Bacha (OL)
- DF: Lou Bogaert (Paris FC)
- DF: Elisa De Almeida (PSG)
- DF: Maëlle Lakrar (Real Madrid)
- DF: Griedge Mbock (PSG)
- DF: Melween N'Dongala (Paris FC)
- DF: Thiniba Samoura (PSG)
- DF: Alice Sombath (Lyon)
- MF: Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
- MF: Grace Geyoro (PSG)
- MF: Oriane Jean-François (Chelsea)
- MF: Sakina Karchaoui (PSG)
- MF: Amel Majri (Lyon)
- MF: Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid)
- FW: Delphine Cascarino (San Diego)
- FW: Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon)
- FW: Kelly Gago (Everton)
- FW: Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Lyon)
- FW: Melvine Malard (Manchester United)
- FW: Clara Mateo (Paris FC)
France fixtures and results
Euro 2025 qualifying
April 5: France 1–0 Republic of Ireland, Stade Saint-Symphorien, Metz, France
April 9: Sweden 0–1 France, Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
May 31: England 1-2 France, St James' Park, Newcastle, England
June 4: France 1-2 England, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne, France
July 12: France 2–1 Sweden, Stade Gaston Gérard, Dijon, France
July 16: Republic of Ireland 3–1 France, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland
2024 Olympics
July 25: France 3–2 Colombia, Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, France
July 28: France 1–2 Canada, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France
July 31: New Zealand 1–2 France, Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, France
August 3: France 0–1 Brazil, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France
Friendlies
October 25: France 3–0 Jamaica, Stade Auguste-Bonal, Montbéliard, France
October 29: Switzerland 2–1 France, Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
November 30: France 2–1 Nigeria, Stade Raymond Kopa, Angers, France
December 3: France 2–4 Spain, Stade de Nice, Nice, France
Women's Nations League
February 21: France 1-0 Norway, Toulouse Stadium, Toulouse, France
February 26: France 3-2 Iceland, Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans, France
April 4: Switzerland 0-2 France, Arena St. Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
April 8: Norway 0-2 France, Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway
May 30: France 4-0 Switzerland, Stade Marcel-Picot, Tomblaine, France
June 3: Iceland 0-2 France, Laugardalsvöllur, Rejykjavik, Iceland
Euro 2025
July 5: France v England, Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland
July 9: France v Wales, Arena St.Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
July 13: Netherlands v France, St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
France manager: Laurent Bonadei
An experienced youth coach and assistant manager who once had a spell as interim manager as Saudi Arabia men's boss, Bonadei is now in his highest-profile job yet after stepping up from an assistant role to fill Hervé Renard's shoes after the Olympics.
Bonadei has led to a 100% record in the Nations League in his six competitive games in charge so far - and he has been ruthless with his selection for this summer's tournament, dropping Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer.
Bonadei explained: "'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.' I want different results for this team so I have gone with a different selection."
France's star player
Marie-Antoinette Katoto
After relying for so long on record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer, it looks likely that the bulk of the responsibility in the final third will fall on three-time French league top scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto to provide for France.
The 26-year-old, who is number 26 in FourFourTwo's best players right now list, was instrumental in France topping their group in qualifying, scoring the decisive winning goals against Ireland, England and Sweden.
She then carried that into the Olympics, scoring all but one of her country's six goals at the tournament. With 37 goals in 53 appearances to date, the PSG forward will be vital for France's chances.
