France national under-21 football team
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Nickname(s) | Les Bleuets (The Little Blues) Les Espoirs (The Hopes) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | French Football Federation | ||
Head coach | Thierry Henry | ||
Captain | Warren Zaïre-Emery | ||
Most caps | Mickaël Landreau (46) | ||
Top scorer | Odsonne Édouard (17) | ||
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First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Le Havre, France; 22 May 1952) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Grenoble, France; 17 October 2023) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Sheffield, England; 28 February 1984) Records for competitive matches only. | |||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | 11 (first in 1982) | ||
Best result | Winners (1988) |
The France national under-21 football team (French: Equipe de France Espoirs), known in France as Les Espoirs (French pronunciation: [ɛs.pwaʁ], The Hopes), is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, held every two years.
Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, under-21 football teams in Europe were formed. The team is exclusively for football players that are age 21 or under at the start of the two-year campaign of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, meaning a player can represent the national team until the age of 23.
France has won the Under-21 Championship once, in 1988. Notable players on the team that went on to play for the senior national team include Laurent Blanc, Eric Cantona, Franck Sauzée, and Jocelyn Angloma, among others.[1] Blanc was named the tournament's Golden Player.[2] The team's best finish since was in 2002 when the team finished runners-up to the Czech Republic in Switzerland.
The France under-21 team does not have a permanent home. The team plays in stadiums located all around France, particularly grounds of Ligue 2 clubs. Because of the smaller demand compared to the senior national team, smaller facilities are used. Recently, the under-21 team has established the Stade Auguste-Delaune II, home of Stade Reims, as a home residence having played numerous matches there over the past two seasons.
History
Though, under-21 teams weren't formed until 1976, Les Espoirs, a youth national team in France, had existed since 1950 playing its first match on 22 May 1952 defeating England 7–1 at the Stade Jules Deschaseaux in Le Havre. The team's next match was two years later suffering a 3–1 defeat to Italy in Vicenza. For the rest of the decade, the youth team played seven more matches, which included a 1–1 draw with Hungary in Budapest and a 2–0 loss to England in Sunderland in 1959. In the 1960s, Espoirs continued to play matches against fellow national youth sides. However, on 18 December 1968, the team contested a match against Algeria senior team in Algiers recording an impressive 5–2 victory. Four days later, the team draw 1–1 with the under-23 team of Algeria in Oran. On 12 February 1969, the Espoirs played the Hungary senior team at the Stade Gerland in Lyon. The match ended in a 2–2 draw.
Team image
Media coverage
France's under-21 football friendlies and qualifying matches are broadcast by Direct 8.
Results and fixtures
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2022
19 November Friendly | France ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Caen, France |
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Report |
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Stadium: Stade Michel d'Ornano |
2023
25 March Friendly | England ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | Leicester, England |
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Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Referee: Joey Kooij (Netherlands) |
28 March Friendly | France ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Vannes, France |
Report | Stadium: Stade de la Rabine |
22 June U21 Euro 2023 GS | France ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
21:45 EEST (UTC+3) |
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Report |
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Stadium: Cluj Arena Attendance: 11,286 Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands) |
25 June U21 Euro 2023 GS | Norway ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
21:45 EEST (UTC+3) | Report |
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Stadium: Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Attendance: 1,507 Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania) |
28 June U21 Euro 2023 GS | Switzerland ![]() | 1–4 | ![]() | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
21:45 EEST (UTC+3) |
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Report | Stadium: Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Attendance: 1,652 Referee: Morten Krogh (Denmark) |
2 July U21 Euro 2023 QF | France ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
22:00 EEST (UTC+3) |
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Report |
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Stadium: Cluj Arena Attendance: 6,281 Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal) |
7 September Friendly | France ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() | Nancy, France |
Report |
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Stadium: Stade Marcel Picot Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Jonathan Lardot (Belgium) |
11 September 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | Slovenia ![]() | 0–4 | ![]() | Koper, Slovenia |
Report | Stadium: Bonifika Stadium Referee: Ondřej Berka (Czech Republic) |
13 October 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | Bosnia and Herzegovina ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
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Report |
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Stadium: Stadion Grbavica Referee: Mohammed Al-Emara (Saudi Arabia) |
17 October 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | France ![]() | v | ![]() | Grenoble, France |
Report | Stadium: Stade des Alpes |
17 November 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | Austria ![]() | v | ![]() | Austria |
Report | Stadium: TBD |
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
- As of 21 August 2023
Position | Name | Nationality |
---|---|---|
Manager | Thierry Henry | ![]() |
Assistant manager | Gérald Baticle | ![]() |
Assistant manager | Gaël Clichy | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | Patrick L'Hostis | ![]() |
Doctor | Marc Chasselat | ![]() |
Physiotherapist | Florian Simon | ![]() |
Players
Current squad
For the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, including the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, players born on or after 1 January 2002 are eligible.
The following 23 players were called up for 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matchs against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cyprus on 13 and 17 October 2023, respectively.[3]
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped by the senior team.
Caps and goals as of 17 October 2023, after the team's match against Cyprus.
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the France under-21 squad and remain eligible:
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Lucas Lavallée | 18 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Thimothée Lo-Tutala | 13 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Castello Lukeba | 17 December 2002 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Malo Gusto | 19 May 2003 | 9 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Thierno Baldé | 10 June 2002 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Tanguy Nianzou | 7 June 2002 | 1 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jeanuël Belocian | 17 February 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ismaël Doukouré | 24 July 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Yoan Koré | 16 November 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Lucien Agoumé | 9 February 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Andy Diouf | 17 May 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Eduardo Camavinga | 10 November 2002 | 13 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Sékou Mara | 30 July 2002 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Wilson Odobert | 28 November 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Matthis Abline | 28 March 2003 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Georginio Rutter | 20 April 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Mohamed-Ali Cho | 19 January 2004 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Hugo Ekitike | 20 June 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Janis Antiste | 18 August 2002 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Nathanaël Mbuku | 16 March 2002 | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Isaac Lihadji | 10 April 2002 | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
- Notes
- Players in italics have played at senior level.
- COV Withdrew due to COVID-19
- CLU Player withdrew from the squad because of a club necessity.
- INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
- SEN Player withdrew from the squad due to a call up to the senior team.
- WD Player withdrew from the squad due to personal reasons.
Previous squads
Honours
- Champions (12): 1977, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2015
- Finalists (14): 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016
Competitive record
UEFA U-23 Championship
- 1972: Did not qualify. Finished 4th of 4 in qualification group.
- 1974: Did not qualify. Finished 3rd of 3 in qualification group.
- 1976: Losing quarter-finalists.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978 | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
1980 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
1982 | Quarter-finals | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
1984 | Quarter-finals | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 9 |
1986 | Quarter-finals | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 13 |
1988 | Champions | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 13 |
1990 | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 7 |
1992 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 | |
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Fourth place | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 8 |
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Third place | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 5 |
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Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 8 |
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8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 6 | |
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Runners-up | 15 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 7 |
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Did not qualify | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 7 |
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Semi-finals | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 10 |
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Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
![]() |
10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 7 | |
![]() |
8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 6 | |
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10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 7 | |
![]() |
10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 11 | |
![]() |
10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 8 | |
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Semi-finals | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 11 |
![]() ![]() |
Quarter-finals | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 13 |
![]() ![]() |
Quarter-finals | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 39 | 10 |
Total | 1 title | 223 | 137 | 46 | 40 | 414 | 180 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
- **Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won. Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.
See also
References
- ^ "1988: France sweep to final glory". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "1988: Laurent Blanc". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Fédération Française de Football" (in French).
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)