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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.
| |||
| 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 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.
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.
France's under-21 football friendlies and qualifying matches are broadcast by Direct 8.
Win Draw Lose Fixture
| 25 March Friendly | England | 4–0 | France | Leicester, England |
|
Report | Stadium: King Power Stadium Referee: Joey Kooij (Netherlands) |
| 28 March Friendly | France | 0–0 |  Spain | Vannes, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade de la Rabine |
| 22 June U21 Euro 2023 GS | France | 2–1 |  Italy | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 21:45 EEST (UTC+3) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cluj Arena Attendance: 11,286 Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands) |
| 25 June U21 Euro 2023 GS | Norway  | 0–1 | France | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 21:45 EEST (UTC+3) | Report |
|
Stadium: Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Attendance: 1,507 Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania) |
| 28 June U21 Euro 2023 GS | Switzerland  | 1–4 | France | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 21:45 EEST (UTC+3) |
|
Report | Stadium: Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Attendance: 1,652 Referee: Morten Krogh (Denmark) |
| 2 July U21 Euro 2023 QF | France | 1–3 |  Ukraine | Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 22:00 EEST (UTC+3) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cluj Arena Attendance: 6,281 Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal) |
| 7 September Friendly | France | 4–1 |  Denmark | Nancy, France |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Stade Marcel Picot Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Jonathan Lardot (Belgium) |
| 11 September 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | Slovenia  | 0–4 | France | 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 | France | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stadion Grbavica Referee: Mohammed Al-Emara (Finland) |
| 17 October 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | France | 9–0 | Cyprus | Grenoble, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade des Alpes Referee: Miloš Bošković (Montenegro) |
| 17 November 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | Austria  | 2–0 | France | Ried im Innkreis, Austria |
|
Report | Stadium: Josko Arena Referee: Robert Jones (England |
| 20 November Friendly | France | 0–3 |  South Korea | Le Havre, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade Océane Referee: Andrei Florin Chivulete (Romania) |
| 6 September 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | France | 1–1 | Slovenia | Troyes, France |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de l'Aube Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero (Spain) |
| 10 September 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | France | 2–0 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Le Mans, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade Marie-Marvingt Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (Georgia) |
| 11 October 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | Cyprus | 0–3 | France | Achna, Cyprus |
| Report | Stadium: Dasaki Stadium Referee: Ion Orlic (Moldova) |
| 15 October 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification | France | 1–2 | Austria | Nancy, France |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade Marcel Picot Referee: Mihály Káprály (Hungary) |
| 15 November Friendly | Italy | v | France | Empoli, Italy |
| Report | Stadium: Stadio Carlo Castellani |
| 19 November Friendly | France | v |  Germany | Valenciennes, France |
| Report | Stadium: Stade du Hainaut |
| 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 |
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 friendly matches against Italy and Germany on 15 and 19 November 2024, respectively.[3]
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped by the senior team.
Caps and goals as of 15 November 2024, after the team's match against Italy.
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 | Lucas Lavallée | 18 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | Paris Saint-Germain |
v. Slovenia, 11 September 2023 |
| GK | Thimothée Lo-Tutala | 13 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | Hull City |
v. Norway, 19 November 2022 |
| DF | Malo Gusto | 19 May 2003 | 10 | 1 | Chelsea |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| DF | Quentin Merlin | 16 May 2002 | 11 | 0 | Marseille |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| DF | Castello Lukeba | 17 December 2002 | 20 | 0 | RB Leipzig |
v. Austria, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Jeanuël Belocian | 17 February 2005 | 5 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
v. Austria, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Tanguy Nianzou | 7 June 2002 | 3 | 2 | Sevilla |
v. Austria, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Maxime Estève | 26 May 2002 | 2 | 0 | Burnley |
v. Austria, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Leny Yoro | 13 November 2005 | 4 | 0 | Manchester United |
v. South Korea, 20 November 2023 |
| DF | Isaak Touré | 28 March 2003 | 0 | 0 | Udinese |
v. South Korea, 20 November 2023 |
| DF | Bradley Locko | 6 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Brest |
v. Cyprus, 17 October 2023 |
| DF | Thierno Baldé | 10 June 2002 | 1 | 0 | Troyes |
v. Slovenia, 11 September 2023 |
| DF | Yoan Koré | 16 November 2004 | 0 | 0 | Paris FC |
v. Spain, 28 March 2023 |
| MF | Maghnes Akliouche | 25 February 2002 | 10 | 3 | Monaco |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| MF | Enzo Millot (captain) | 17 July 2002 | 4 | 0 | VfB Stuttgart |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| MF | Johann Lepenant | 22 October 2002 | 9 | 1 | Lyon |
v. Austria, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Lesley Ugochukwu | 26 March 2004 | 5 | 0 | Southampton |
v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 September 2024 |
| MF | Lucas Gourna-Douath | 5 August 2003 | 2 | 0 | Red Bull Salzburg |
v. South Korea, 20 November 2023 |
| MF | Warren Zaïre-Emery | 8 March 2006 | 4 | 0 | Paris Saint-Germain |
v. Cyprus, 17 October 2023 SEN |
| MF | Eduardo Camavinga | 10 November 2002 | 13 | 2 | Real Madrid |
v. Ukraine, 9 June 2022 |
| FW | Hugo Ekitike | 20 June 2002 | 3 | 2 | Eintracht Frankfurt |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| FW | Thierno Barry | 21 October 2002 | 0 | 0 | Villarreal |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| FW | Dilane Bakwa | 26 August 2002 | 4 | 0 | Strasbourg |
v. Italy, 15 November 2024 INJ |
| FW | Alan Virginius | 3 January 2003 | 1 | 0 | Young Boys |
v. Austria, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Georginio Rutter | 20 April 2002 | 6 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
v. Cyprus, 11 October 2024 INJ |
| FW | Mohamed-Ali Cho | 19 January 2004 | 8 | 0 | Nice |
v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 September 2024 |
| FW | Wilson Odobert | 28 November 2004 | 3 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 September 2024 |
| FW | Bradley Barcola | 2 September 2002 | 12 | 4 | Paris Saint-Germain |
v. South Korea, 20 November 2023 |
| FW | Elye Wahi | 2 January 2003 | 12 | 3 | Lens |
v. South Korea, 20 November 2023 |
| FW | Sékou Mara | 30 July 2002 | 4 | 1 | Southampton |
v. Slovenia, 11 September 2023 |
| FW | Matthis Abline | 28 March 2003 | 4 | 1 | Nantes |
v. Spain, 28 March 2023 |
| FW | Janis Antiste | 18 August 2002 | 1 | 0 | Reggiana |
v.  Serbia, 12 October 2021 |
| FW | Nathanaël Mbuku | 16 March 2002 | 2 | 1 | Saint-Étienne |
v.  Faroe Islands, 6 September 2021 |
| FW | Isaac Lihadji | 10 April 2002 | 2 | 1 |  Al-Arabi |
v. Switzerland, 16 November 2020 |
| 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 | Qualified | ||||||
| Total | 1 title | 223 | 137 | 46 | 40 | 414 | 180 |
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