The captain is back. Having undergone surgery on one thigh and absent from the field for three months, Wendie Renard returns to the French team for the two April matches against Ireland (April 5) and Sweden (April 9). Excellent news for his coach Hervé Renard: “We especially miss people when they are away. His absence was notable and important. Just the fact that she's here changes everything. » Physically, the defender will not, however, be able to play the two games together, warns the coach.
Hence the presence, once again, of the young PSG center Thiniba Samoura among the 24 players called up this Thursday. “The future of the French team”, underlines Hervé Renard. Continuity in a list which changes very little compared to that of February, which reached the final of the League of Nations. Two entries: Wendie Renard, therefore, and Vicki Becho. Two outings: Clara Matéo and Amel Majri. “Some girls have been on the bench for a year, it may not be easy for them. It can be good for everyone to alternate a little,” explains Hervé Renard.
Other executives also present
For the rest of the list, only classic with the same three goalkeepers and frames Amandine Henry in the middle and Eugénie Le Sommer, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, or Delphine Cascarino in attack. Furthermore, when asked about his future with Les Bleues, Hervé Renard explained that he had announced his departure “in January” to the French Football Federation. “In my head, there is the 2026 men’s World Cup. I hope this will be my third World Cup with a selection (Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022). These are my personal motivations,” he explains.
In the meantime, see you in Metz on April 5 for the reception of Ireland and on April 9 in Gothenburg for a shock against the Swedes.
Goalkeepers:
Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Constance Picaud, Solène Durand
Defenders:
Wendie Renard, Élisa de Almeida, Estelle Cascarino, Sakina Karchaoui, Maëlle Lakrar, Griedge Mbock, Ève Périsset, Thiniba Samoura
Backgrounds:
Amandine Henry, Kenza Dali, Grace Geyoro, Selma Bacha, Sandy Baltimore, Léa Le Garrec, Sandie Toletti
Forwards:
Eugénie Le Sommer, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Kadidiatou Diani, Vicki Becho, Delphine Cascarino, Julie Dufour