France head into their World Cup opener against Australia in Kazan on Saturday sweating on the fitness of fullback Djibril Sidibe and under pressure to deliver an emphatic win to erase doubts about the cohesion of a team of brilliant individuals.
Zinedine Zidane will not be taking over as coach of the French national team any time soon as Didier Deschamps will remain in that job for the rest of his contract,
'It's a problem not just in football -- it's a problem in society, but football now is at the forefront of everybody's minds in terms of, we've got the power to do something about it'
Megan Rapinoe struck twice as the United States beat hosts France 2-1 in the women's World Cup quarter-finals at the Parc des Princes on Friday to set up a last-four clash with England.
Despite putting unprecedented security measures in place for Euro 2016, France remains deeply concerned over the jihadists' ability to strike a soft target. Millions of foreign visitors and the world's press are set to descend on the country for a month of sporting action from Friday -- creating endless nightmares for its overstretched security services. "From the point of view of preparation, we have done as much as possible. Everyone has been mobilised: police, paramilitaries, many soldiers," a senior counter-terrorism official told AFP, on condition of anonymity. But, he said, "to be totally honest, I'm worried." President Francois Hollande acknowledged the threat on Sunday, though he tried to put a brave face on it. "This threat will last for a long time, unfortunately, so we must do everything to ensure that the Euro 2016 is a success," he told France Inter radio. Hollande's government introduced a state of emergency in the wake of last year's jihadist attacks in Paris, allowing police to raid homes and place people under house arrest with minimal oversight.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
From goal-scoring prowess to outstanding goalkeeping, the awards highlighted the remarkable talent and sportsmanship displayed on the grandest stage of women's football.
French football star Karim Benzema has been arrested on Wednesday in connection with an inquiry into an alleged attempt to blackmail fellow-France international Mathieu Valbuena, a police source said.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was named French player of the year by France Football magazine on Tuesday.
France, who have earned a reputation for leaving it late at this European Championship, would be well-advised to wake up early when they face Iceland for a place in the semi-finals, veteran defender Patrice Evra warned on Thursday.
Laurent Blanc will replace the controversial Raymond Domenech as France coach after the World Cup, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Thursday. A prominent member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, although he was suspended for the final, Blanc will take over from Domenech after the June 11-July 11 World Cup in South Africa.
The 54-year-old was offered an extension to his two-year contract and he accepted it.
Croatia's Football Federation (HNS) sacked Ognjen Vukojevic, a member of the national team's coaching staff, over a "glory to Ukraine" video posted after Croatia beat Russia in the World Cup quarter-finals, HNS said in a statement on Monday.
I'm the little man who can, says Croatia's Modric
The 23 members of France's World Cup squad have been suspended for the country's next game, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Friday.
France centre forward Olivier Giroud has failed to score at the World Cup in Russia but is still a vital cog in their plans for Sunday's final against Croatia in Moscow.
France earned a rollercoaster 4-2 home win over Croatia in an entertaining top-tier Nations League Group 3 match, while England were held to a 0-0 draw by Denmark in an uninspiring game.
Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named African Footballer of the Year on Thursday, narrowly edging out Yaya Toure at the Confederation of African Football award ceremony.
Following are comments, quotes and reactions from the French coach, players.
A third place finish at the World Cup on Saturday leaves a strong legacy for Belgian football, coach Roberto Martinez said
Neymar's imminent arrival at Paris St Germain can help France's Ligue 1 grow to match Europe's powerhouse leagues, according to the director general of top flight side Lille.
France coach Laurent Blanc has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Sports Ministry's investigation into the racism row that has shaken French football, Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno said on Tuesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Former Arsenal and France midfielder Robert Pires, a member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 42.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
Spain's captain Olga Carmona -- the scorer of Sunday's deciding goal -- plays for Real Madrid, where the women's team generated revenues of 1.4 million euros in the 2021/22 season, according to Deloitte. That compared with the Real Madrid men's teams revenues of 713.8 million euros in the same season.
'We had already started thinking about how to set a new calendar from 2024, now with this crisis we need immediate answers'
A lot has changed for France goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris and defender Bacary Sagna since they were part of the team that left the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in disgrace.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba said he lost his passion for football last summer after the death of his grandmother.
France defender William Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after criticising his team mates, French media reported on Friday. France Football magazine's website (www.francefootball.fr) said Gallas had also been left out of the squad for Saturday's Premier League match at Manchester City. Arsenal declined to comment on whether Gallas had been removed as club captain.
More than 50 Africa-born or African-origin players are spread across 11 teams -- excluding sides from the continent -- that are part of the tournament in Qatar.
Manchester City's French midfielder Samir Nasri has decided to quit international football over a breakdown in his relationship with national coach Didier Deschamps and the French media.
After taking on Vitoria de Setubal at Troia, the team will cross swords against leading Portuguese club sides Belenenses, Benfica, Estoril and Sporting Club Portugal.
Belgium and France meet in the World Cup semi-final at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday.
Europe's national teams will emerge from a 10-month hiatus as the second edition of the UEFA Nations League kicks off this week, still under the shadow the COVID-19 pandemic which brought football to a standstill earlier this year.
The surprise result leaves Group B wide open. France lead with four points, England, Croatia have two and the Swiss one.
More than 700,000 Tunisians live in France, with about two thirds of them being dual nationals.
France captain Patrice Evra and Nicolas Anelka were among five players summoned on Friday for a disciplinary hearing for their part in Les Bleus' mutiny during the World Cup, the French Football Federation (FFF) said.
