France national under-21 football team
National U-21 association football team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Les Espoirs (The Hopes)
| |||
| 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 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) | ||
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 who 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
| 10 October U21 Euro 2027 qualification | Faroe Islands  | 0–6 | France | Klaksvík, Faroe Islands |
| 21:00 | Report | Stadium: Við Djúpumýrar Attendance: 798 Referee: Peiman Simani (Finland) |
| 13 October U21 Euro 2027 qualification | France | 6–1 |  Estonia | Grenoble, France |
| 21:00 | Report | Stadium: Stade des Alpes Attendance: 4,191 Referee: Jakob Semler (Austria) |
| 14 November U21 Euro 2027 qualification | Switzerland  | 1–1 | France | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| 21:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de la Tuilière Attendance: 5,021 Referee: Ishmael Barbara (Malta) |
| 17 November U21 Euro 2027 qualification | France | 1–0 | Faroe Islands | Grenoble, France |
| 21:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Stade des Alpes Attendance: 2,421 Referee: Igor Boşca (Moldova) |
2026
| 26 March U21 Euro 2027 qualification | Luxembourg  | 1–5 | France | Differdange, Luxembourg |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Stade Municipal Attendance: 1,783 Referee: Matthias Jöllenbeck (Germany) |
| 30 March U21 Euro 2027 qualification | France | 2–1 |  Iceland | Auxerre, France |
| 19:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps Attendance: 4,127 Referee: Mervan Bejtullahu (Kosovo) |
| 25 September U21 Euro 2027 qualification | Iceland | v | France | Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Report | Stadium: Þróttarvöllur |
| 29 September U21 Euro 2027 qualification | Estonia | v | France | Pärnu, Estonia |
| Report | Stadium: Pärnu Rannastaadion |
| 3 October[note 1] U21 Euro 2027 qualification | France | v | Luxembourg | Orléans, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade de la Source |
| 6 October U21 Euro 2027 qualification | France | v | Switzerland | Orléans, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade de la Source |
- Match postponed due to a bus accident involving the Luxembourg national team.
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 | Jérémie Janot | 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 Iceland, Estonia, Luxembourg and Switzerland on 25 and 29 September and 3 and 6 October 2026; respectively.[3]
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.
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 | Guillaume Restes | 11 March 2005 | 19 | 0 | Toulouse |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| GK | Robin Risser | 2 December 2004 | 5 | 0 | Lens |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| GK | Lisandru Olmeta | 21 July 2005 | 0 | 0 |  Torreense |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | Leny Yoro | 13 November 2005 | 10 | 0 | Manchester United |
v. Iceland, 25 September 2026 SEN |
| DF | Jeanuël Belocian | 17 February 2005 | 7 | 0 |  Racing Santander |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| DF | Nhoa Sangui | 29 August 2006 | 2 | 0 | Paris FC |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| DF | Jérémy Jacquet | 13 July 2005 | 5 | 0 | Liverpool |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | Thérence Koudou | 13 December 2004 | 1 | 0 |  Mechelen |
v. Estonia, 13 October 2025 |
| DF | Kassoum Ouattara | 14 October 2004 | 3 | 0 |  Beşiktaş |
v.  Italy, 15 November 2024 |
| DF | Yoan Koré | 16 November 2004 | 0 | 0 | Paris FC |
v. Spain, 28 March 2023 |
| MF | Mamadou Coulibaly | 21 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | Monaco[a] |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| MF | Djaoui Cissé | 31 January 2004 | 8 | 4 | Rennes |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| MF | Louis Leroux | 23 January 2006 | 3 | 1 | Nantes |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| MF | Warren Zaïre-Emery | 8 March 2006 | 4 | 0 | Paris Saint-Germain |
v. Estonia, 13 October 2025 |
| MF | Mathys Detourbet | 29 April 2007 | 0 | 0 | Monaco[a] |
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship PRE |
| FW | Tidiam Gomis | 8 August 2006 | 0 | 0 |  RB Leipzig |
v. Iceland, 25 September 2026 INJ |
| FW | Rayan Fofana | 12 February 2006 | 2 | 2 | Le Havre |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| FW | Dehmaine Tabibou | 17 April 2005 | 2 | 0 | Nantes |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| FW | Herba Guirassy | 29 August 2006 | 1 | 0 | Young Boys |
v. Iceland, 30 March 2026 |
| FW | Mamadou Diakhon | 22 September 2005 | 0 | 0 | Club Brugge |
v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 INJ |
| FW | Sidiki Cherif | 15 December 2006 | 0 | 0 | Coventry City |
v. Luxembourg, 26 March 2026 INJ |
| FW | Lucas Michal | 22 June 2005 | 1 | 0 | Cercle Brugge |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Wilson Odobert | 28 November 2004 | 16 | 5 | Tottenham Hotspur |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Eli Junior Kroupi | 23 June 2006 | 5 | 3 | Bournemouth |
v. Faroe Islands, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Noah Edjouma | 4 October 2005 | 3 | 0 | Brest |
v. Estonia, 13 October 2025 |
| FW | Désiré Doué | 3 June 2005 | 4 | 1 | Paris Saint-Germain |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 |
| FW | Mohamed-Ali Cho | 19 January 2004 | 8 | 0 | Hull City |
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
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
See also
Notes
- Monaco is a Monégasque club playing in the French football league system.
