France will kickstart just their fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on Sunday, as they face Jamaica at the Sydney Football Stadium – who made their debut four years ago on French soil. Both sides have been plagued with controversy in the buildup to the tournament, with the Reggae Girlz raising concerns around training conditions.
France appear to have turned a corner at a crucial time though, with Hervé Renard taking over from the controversial Corinne Diacre in March 2023. The French Football Federation issued a statement at the time, noting that ‘it appears that the dysfunctions observed seem, in this context, irreversible.’
Les Bleues have somewhat of a point to prove this summer, with their best finish at the tournament being a trip to the final four in 2011. Since then, they’ve bowed out in the quarterfinals – but with the Diacre era behind them and a talented squad on the pitch, this could be the year that they go one step further.
Jamaica lost all three of their games when they made their World Cup debut in 2019, and it’s fair to say that their recent form has been far from perfect. Two wins from eight matches since the turn of the year isn’t over convincing, especially when you realise that one of those wins came against Sheffield United’s women’s team.
Team news
France will likely be forced to open their campaign without Selma Bacha, after she was withdrawn from their final friendly against Australia with an ankle injury. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino are two of the biggest names missing from the squad entirely.
As for Jamaica, there are no real absences worth noting. Tottenham fans will recognise Rebecca Spencer and Drew Spence, while Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw has become somewhat of an icon across Europe after her seemingly relentless goalscoring exploits last season.
Predicted lineups
France: Peyraud-Magnin; Lakrar, De Almeida, Renard, Karchaoui; Geyoro, Toletti, Dali; Diani, Mateo, Le Sommer
Jamaica: Spencer; Wiltshire, A. Swaby, C. Swaby, Blackwood; Carter, Spence, Solaun, Sampson, Brown; Shaw
