France Women’s Euro 2025 Bid: Can Les Bleues Break the Curse?

France Women’s Euro 2025 preparations begin with equal parts optimism and anxiety as Les Bleues try to transform club-level brilliance into long-awaited international glory. The Swiss Alps will echo with expectations, but recent history warns that talent alone is never enough for this side.

France Women’s Euro 2025: a history of near-misses

Ever since that fourth-place finish at the 2011 World Cup, France Women’s Euro 2025 journey has felt cursed. Quarter-final exits have become a grim routine in every major event since, including on home soil at Euro 2019 and the 2024 Olympics. The nation that boasts Lyon’s eight Champions League titles has somehow failed to bottle that winning DNA for its flag.

Captaincy shake-up and Einstein’s influence

New boss Laurent Bonadei stunned observers by omitting long-time skipper Wendie Renard from the starting XI during spring friendlies, handing the armband to midfielder Grace Geyoro. Bonadei justified the gamble with an Albert Einstein quote: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” It is bold, risky and—he hopes—liberating.

Tactical reboot under Bonadei

France Women’s Euro 2025 blueprint revolves around a 4-3-3 that morphs into a 3-2-5 in possession. Selma Bacha pushes high from left-back, while Sandy Baltimore tucks inside to overload central zones. Kadidiatou Diani remains the reference point up front, supported by a double-pivot of Amandine Henry and Kenza Dali that balances guile with grit.

Key players to watch

• Kadidiatou Diani – A hybrid winger-striker whose pace will stretch defences.
• Grace Geyoro – The new captain’s box-to-box surges set the press tone.
• Selma Bacha – Delivers set-piece venom and overlaps that disrupt low blocks.
• Pauline Peyraud-Magnin – Reliable in goal, yet untested by knockout pressure.

The ‘group of death’ looms large

France Women’s Euro 2025 Group D pits Les Bleues against defending champions England, former winners the Netherlands and plucky Wales. Bonadei’s side open against Wales in Geneva, face England in Basel and conclude versus the Dutch in Zurich. Finish top and the path avoids Spain until the semi-final; stumble, and another early exit beckons.

England: the yardstick

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses have lost just once in 28 competitive games. Their high press and Lauren James’ flair will test France’s new-look defence. Renard’s aerial prowess may yet be required.

Netherlands: familiarity breeds danger

The Oranje, injury-free at last, rely on Vivianne Miedema and Jill Roord to exploit half-spaces. France’s full-backs must time overlaps carefully to avoid counters.

Wales: dark-horse spoilers

Led by Jess Fishlock, Wales relish underdog status. Remember, it was a shock loss to Denmark that derailed France at Euro 2013; Bonadei knows complacency could be fatal.

Mental barriers and the quarter-final curse

Ask any veteran and they will admit that pressure, not opponents, has eliminated France since 2011. Sports psychologist Cécile Carbonnel has been embedded with the squad for six months, introducing breathing routines and scenario rehearsals to neutralise flashbacks of Euro collapses past. “The body forgets nothing,” she warns, “so we teach it new memories.”

Injuries and depth

Marion Torrent’s knee surgery leaves a void at right-back. PSG’s thin squad meant Sakina Karchaoui carried heavy minutes all season; rotation will be crucial during the compact Swiss schedule. Yet depth looks better than ever: Vicki Becho, Naomie Feller and 18-year-old Oriane Jean-François impressed during qualifying.

Can France finally deliver?

France Women’s Euro 2025 bid enjoys momentum—eight wins from eight this year, 26 goals scored, just three conceded. Bookmakers rank them third favourites behind Spain and England. The ingredients are here: elite technicians, a forward-thinking coach and the hunger of a generation tired of “almost”.

Opinion: this time feels different—if they stay brave

Les Bleues have learned that talent without resilience is wasted. Bonadei’s ruthless calls—benching icons, quoting Einstein—signal a culture pivot that could break the glass ceiling. The ‘group of death’ will harden them early; survive that gauntlet and the quarter-final curse may finally shatter. My gut says France reach the final, but only if they trust the revolution when knockout nerves bite.