France national under-21 football team

France Under-21
Nickname(s)	Les Bleuets (The Little Blues) ; Les Espoirs (The Hopes)
Association	French Football Federation
Head coach	Gérald Baticle
Captain	Castello Lukeba
Most caps	Mickaël Landreau (46)
Top scorer	Odsonne Édouard (17)
First colours	Second colours
First international
	France 7–1 England ; (Le Havre, France; 22 May 1952)
Biggest win
	France 9–0 Cyprus ; (Grenoble, France; 17 October 2023)
Biggest defeat
	England 6–0 France ; (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

2025

21 March Friendly	France	5–3	England	Lorient, France
	Merlin 4' Ekitike 7', 35', 55' Cherki 76'	Report	McAtee 2' Elliott 37' Delap 61'	Stadium: Stade du Moustoir Attendance: 15,271 Referee: Lothar D'Hondt (Belgium)

24 March Friendly	Slovakia	0–4	France	Trnava, Slovakia
		Report	Tel 20', 23' Kalimuendo 57', 68'	Stadium: Anton Malatinský Stadium Referee: Gergő Bogár (Hungary)

4 June Friendly	France	2–1	Uzbekistan	Orléans, France
21:00	Bahoya 31' (pen.) Odobert 79'	Report	Abdurazzokov 47'	Stadium: Stade de la Source Referee: Sam Barrott (England)

11 June U21 Euro 2025 GS	Portugal	0–0	France	Trenčín, Slovakia
21:00		Report		Stadium: Štadión Sihoť Attendance: 4,932^[3] Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (Lithuania)

14 June U21 Euro 2025 GS	France	3–2	Georgia	Žilina, Slovakia
21:00	Tel 35' (pen.) Lepenant 89' Barry 90+12'	Report	Abuashvili 76' Sazonov 84'	Stadium: Štadión pod Dubňom Attendance: 3,687^[4] Referee: Jakob Sundberg (Denmark)

17 June U21 Euro 2025 GS	France	4–1	Poland	Žilina, Slovakia
18:00	Zézé 18' Cissé 19', 29' Abline 82'	Report	Mosór 61'	Stadium: Štadión pod Dubňom Attendance: 7,288^[5] Referee: Nenad Minaković (Serbia)

22 June U21 Euro 2025 QF	Denmark	2–3	France	Prešov, Slovakia
21:00	Bischoff 18' Sørensen 49'	Report	Cissé 44' Merlin 84' Tel 85'	Stadium: Futbal Tatran Arena Attendance: 5,513^[6] Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)

25 June U21 Euro 2025 SF	Germany	3–0	France	Košice, Slovakia
21:00	Weiper 8' Woltemade 14' Gruda 90+5'	Report		Stadium: Košická futbalová aréna Attendance: 11,913^[7] Referee: Nick Walsh (Scotland)

8 September Friendly	France	3–0	Serbia	Lorient, France
21:00	Tel 2', 90' Leroux 56'	Report		Stadium: Stade du Moustoir Attendance: 3,836 Referee: Lionel Tschudi (Switzerland)

10 October U21 Euro 2027 qualification	Faroe Islands	0–6	France	Klaksvík, Faroe Islands
21:00		Report	Odobert 13', 50' Methalie 22', 57' Tel 38' Bouaddi 67'	Stadium: Við Djúpumýrar Referee: Peiman Simani (Finland)

13 October U21 Euro 2027 qualification	France	6–1	Estonia	Grenoble, France
21:00	Tel 9' Cissé 12' Kroupi 49', 86' Odobert 64', 79'	Report		Stadium: Stade des Alpes Referee: Jakob Semler (Austia)

14 November U21 Euro 2027 qualification	Switzerland	1–1	France	Lausanne, Switzerland
21:00	Vogt 38'	Report	Kroupi 66'	Stadium: Stade de la Tuilière Referee: Ishmael Barbara (Malta)

17 November U21 Euro 2027 qualification	France	1–0	Faroe Islands	Grenoble, France
21:00	Tel 37'	Report		Stadium: Stade des Alpes Referee: Igor Boşca (Moldova)

2026

26 March U21 Euro 2027 qualification	Luxembourg	v	France	Differdange, Luxembourg
				Stadium: Stade Municipal

30 March U21 Euro 2027 qualification	France	v	Iceland	Auxerre, France
				Stadium: Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 21 August 2024

Position	Name	Nationality
Head coach	Gérald Baticle	French
Assistant coach	Gaël Clichy	French
Goalkeeping coach	Patrick L'Hostis	French
Doctor	Marc Chasselat	French
Physiotherapist	Florian Simon	French

Players

Current squad

For the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons, including the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, players born on or after 1 January 2004 are eligible.

The following players were called up for 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Luxembourg and Iceland on 26 and 30 March 2026; respectively.^[8]

Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped by the senior team.

Caps and goals as of 30 March 2026, after the match against Iceland.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Guillaume Restes	(2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 21)	19	0	Toulouse
16	1GK	Robin Risser	(2004-12-02) 2 December 2004 (age 21)	5	0	Lens
23	1GK	Ewen Jaouen	(2005-12-29) 29 December 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Reims

2	2DF	Leny Yoro	(2005-11-13) 13 November 2005 (age 20)	10	0	Manchester United
3	2DF	Saël Kumbedi	(2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 21)	7	0	VfL Wolfsburg
4	2DF	Ismaëlo Ganiou	(2005-03-14) 14 March 2005 (age 21)	2	0	Lens
13	2DF	Christian Mawissa	(2005-04-08) 8 April 2005 (age 21)	5	0	Monaco^[a]
14	2DF	Jeanuël Belocian	(2005-02-17) 17 February 2005 (age 21)	7	0	VfL Wolfsburg
15	2DF	Nathan Zézé	(2005-06-18) 18 June 2005 (age 20)	8	3	Neom
19	2DF	Nhoa Sangui	(2006-08-29) 29 August 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Paris FC
21	2DF	Jaydee Canvot	(2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 19)	6	0	Crystal Palace

5	3MF	Kévin Danois	(2004-06-28) 28 June 2004 (age 21)	2	0	Auxerre
6	3MF	Valentin Atangana	(2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 (age 20)	7	2	Al-Ahli
8	3MF	Lesley Ugochukwu	(2004-03-26) 26 March 2004 (age 22)	12	0	Burnley
18	3MF	Mamadou Coulibaly	(2004-04-21) 21 April 2004 (age 22)	2	0	Monaco^[a]
20	3MF	Ayyoub Bouaddi	(2007-10-02) 2 October 2007 (age 18)	10	1	Lille

7	4FW	Rayan Fofana	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 20)	2	2	Lens
9	4FW	Steve Ngoura	(2005-02-22) 22 February 2005 (age 21)	2	1	Cercle Brugge
10	4FW	Giovani Versini	(2004-03-16) 16 March 2004 (age 22)	2	0	Pau
11	4FW	Saïmon Bouabré	(2006-06-01) 1 June 2006 (age 19)	4	0	Neom
12	4FW	Herba Guirassy	(2006-08-29) 29 August 2006 (age 19)	1	0	Nantes
17	4FW	Dehmaine Tabibou	(2005-04-17) 17 April 2005 (age 21)	2	0	Nantes
22	4FW	Noé Lebreton	(2004-04-22) 22 April 2004 (age 21)	1	1	NEC

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
GK	Lisandru Olmeta	(2005-07-21) 21 July 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Bastia	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025

DF	Jérémy Jacquet	(2005-07-13) 13 July 2005 (age 20)	5	0	Rennes	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
DF	Dayann Methalie	(2006-02-18) 18 February 2006 (age 20)	4	2	Toulouse	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
DF	Thérence Koudou	(2004-12-13) 13 December 2004 (age 21)	1	0	Mechelen	v. Estonia, 13 October 2025
DF	Kassoum Ouattara	(2004-10-14) 14 October 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Monaco^[a]	v. Italy, 15 November 2024
DF	Yoan Koré	(2004-11-16) 16 November 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Betis Deportivo	v. Spain, 28 March 2023

MF	Djaoui Cissé	(2004-01-31) 31 January 2004 (age 22)	8	4	Rennes	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
MF	Louis Leroux	(2006-01-23) 23 January 2006 (age 20)	3	1	Nantes	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
MF	Warren Zaïre-Emery	(2006-03-08) 8 March 2006 (age 20)	4	0	Paris Saint-Germain	v. Estonia, 13 October 2025
MF	Mathys Detourbet	(2007-04-29) 29 April 2007 (age 18)	0	0	Troyes	2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship ^PRE

FW	Mathys Tel	(2005-04-27) 27 April 2005 (age 20)	20	12	Tottenham Hotspur	v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 ^INJ
FW	Jean-Mattéo Bahoya	(2005-05-07) 7 May 2005 (age 20)	5	1	Eintracht Frankfurt	v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 ^INJ
FW	Senny Mayulu	(2006-05-17) 17 May 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Paris Saint-Germain	v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 ^INJ
FW	Mamadou Diakhon	(2005-09-22) 22 September 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Club Brugge	v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 ^INJ
FW	Sidiki Cherif	(2006-12-15) 15 December 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Fenerbahçe	v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 ^INJ
FW	Lucas Michal	(2005-06-22) 22 June 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Monaco^[a]	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
FW	Wilson Odobert	(2004-11-28) 28 November 2004 (age 21)	16	5	Tottenham Hotspur	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
FW	Eli Junior Kroupi	(2006-06-23) 23 June 2006 (age 19)	5	3	Bournemouth	v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025
FW	Noah Edjouma	(2005-10-04) 4 October 2005 (age 20)	3	0	Toulouse	v. Estonia, 13 October 2025
FW	Tidiam Gomis	(2006-08-08) 8 August 2006 (age 19)	0	0	RB Leipzig	2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship ^PRE
FW	Désiré Doué	(2005-06-03) 3 June 2005 (age 20)	4	1	Paris Saint-Germain	v. Italy, 15 November 2024
FW	Mohamed-Ali Cho	(2004-01-19) 19 January 2004 (age 22)	8	0	Nice	v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 September 2024

Notes

Players in bold have played at senior level.
^CLU Player withdrew from the squad because of a club necessity.
^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
^PRE Preliminary squad
^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

U-21 European Championship squads

Honours

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Champions (1): 1988

Runners-up (1): 2002

Third place (1): 1996

Toulon Tournament

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	Did not qualify	4	2	1	1	3	2
1982	Quarter-finals	6	3	1	2	9	8
1984		6	3	1	2	11	9
1986		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	Did not qualify	8	3	2	3	7	5
1994	Fourth place	14	10	2	2	24	8
1996	Third place	14	8	4	2	30	5
1998	Did not qualify	8	4	3	1	13	8
2000	Did not qualify	8	6	2	2	19	6
2002	Runners-up	15	12	3	0	27	7
2004	Did not qualify	10	8	1	1	20	7
2006	Semi-finals	14	10	2	2	24	10
2007	Did not qualify	4	2	1	1	6	3
2009		10	5	3	2	17	7
2011		8	4	3	1	12	6
2013		10	8	0	2	23	7
2015		10	8	1	1	31	11
2017		10	6	2	2	17	8
2019	Semi-finals	14	11	2	1	28	11
2021	Quarter-finals	14	11	0	3	37	13
2023	Quarter-finals	14	11	2	1	39	10
2025	Semi-finals	13	8	2	3	32	14
Total	1 title	236	145	48	43	446	194

*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.

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Monaco is a Monégasque club playing in the French football league system.

References

^ "1988: France sweep to final glory". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Retrieved 12 July 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
^ "1988: Laurent Blanc". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Retrieved 12 July 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
^ "Portugal vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
^ "France vs. Georgia" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
^ "France vs. Poland" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
^ "Denmark vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
^ "Germany vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
^ "La liste de Gérald Baticle" (PDF) (in French). Fédération Française de Football. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.

External links

[mon-9] Monaco is a Monégasque club playing in the French football league system.

[1] "1988: France sweep to final glory". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Retrieved 12 July 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[2] "1988: Laurent Blanc". Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Retrieved 12 July 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[3] "Portugal vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.

[4] "France vs. Georgia" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.

[5] "France vs. Poland" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.

[6] "Denmark vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.

[7] "Germany vs. France" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.

[8] "La liste de Gérald Baticle" (PDF) (in French). Fédération Française de Football. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.

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