Hervé Renard unveils his expanded list, Amandine Henry returns to France after two and a half years of absence

Corinne Deacon’s surprise eviction raised hopes for a new era. You have also opened the door to the return of former managers, fired by the former coach whose method they had denounced. After Eugénie Le Sommer’s – winning – one, during an international interlude crowned with two successes against Colombia and Canada, the new France coach, Hervé Renard, hires Amandine Henry as expected. The former Les Bleues and Olympique Lyonnais captain is part of the expanded roster unveiled on Tuesday 6 June to prepare for the World Cup to be held in the summer.

Since taking office, the new staff have made no secret of wanting to count 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 in the press conference. Then came a knee injury which prevented her from doing her first internship with us. We have tried to support her on an ongoing basis so that she is fit and ready for this preparation.”

Note, however, the absences of Kheira Hamraoui (33 years, 41 appearances, 3 goals), “a sporting decision and 100% personal”attests Renard, and that of young forward Sandy Baltimore (23 years, 23 appearances, 3 goals), included “End of season at PSG” it didn’t seem to convince the boss of the Blues.

Becho and Feller at the forefront of the attack

The tricolor staff preferred to call for the first time the young Lyon winger Vicki Becho (19 years old) and solicit Naomie Feller (21 years old, Real Madrid), who had appeared during the playoffs and the Tournoi de France. “I followed them closely, these two young girls can bring enthusiasm and versatility, they can play in the three front positions, it’s important to anticipate possible retirements.” fox continued.

The vicissitudes of the last few months in the Italian attack – withdrawals of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, then Delphine Cascarino, uncertainties about the form of Kadidiatou Diani, who injured his collarbone and underwent surgery at the beginning of April – have certainly prompted the staff to be more cautious. And it forced him to revise his copy in order to replenish a new offensive strike force. This expanded list of 26 players, which will be reduced to 23 after the “first 15 days of preparation”, it must also be used to test new profiles and to calibrate the shape states of each one. Hervé Renard is not ruling out adding an off-list player to the trip to Australia and New Zealand. He also invited the absentees “be ready”.

In the meantime, those summoned must meet on June 20 at Clairefontaine.

The roster 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