With just over three months to go until the , France head coach Philippe Joly is fully focused on the task that lies ahead.
Although the 51-year-old is still finalising his selection plans, he has been able to take a closer look at Group C opponents Ecuador, Ghana and Korea Republic. While the French will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stage, this is by no means an easy group to navigate.
Despite producing some of the best players in Europe, France have never won the competition. The closest Les Bleuettes have come to lifting the trophy was in 2016, when they lost 3-1 to Korea DPR in the final – a feat the French are determined to eclipse in Poland this September.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA, Joly discussed his preparations for the U-20 Women's World Cup 2026, as well as what the competition means for player development.
Philippe Joly: We've avoided some big teams. But in Ecuador, Ghana and Korea Republic, you've got three teams with styles of play that somewhat represents their continents. There are some interesting aspects, technically speaking. Physically, these three nations show a level of commitment that, maybe, we don't always see in Europe. So, we'll have to be good in these areas to try to disrupt their game and play our own.
I've already picked my squad in my head, I've already decided in my head, but there may be a slight difference between what I want to do and what the clubs will allow me to do. First, we will draw up a provisional squad of 55 players and talk to their clubs to see if they would be willing to let their players take part. It's a crucial stage for knowing whether or not we'll have all our greatest assets at our disposal. We'll still be talking for the next few weeks, and I'd like to make my final decision by 15 July.
If the 21 players who come with us to the World Cup are my 21 first choices, the aim will be to reach the semi-finals, at the very least. That's all I can say for now, as there's still a lot of uncertainty. I think we can go on to do extraordinary things, because there are 20-odd quality players in this current French generation. If the stars are aligned, we will go very far in this competition.
The girls gain an awful lot from playing in tournaments like this. Playing in a World Cup at their age, I think it accelerates their development or helps them to fully develop much quicker. It always gives a player that extra added-value to take into the rest of their career.
The generation of 2006 is a very talented generation, with certain players, such as Maeline Mendy and Melinda Mendy, who already have a lot of experience at international level. These girls are leaders from a technical point of view, leaders in the dressing room, leaders in the way they conduct themselves, the way they impose themselves on their own game, and even in the way they see the game.
They have already played in the last World Cup in Colombia, in 2024, so, of course, if we are able call on them again this year, that will save us some time, because we are well aware that exchanges between players often resonate more than a coach explaining things.
We also have younger players who are already playing at the highest level, in the French top-flight or elsewhere. We'll try to draw on all this quality and hope to get some cohesion going with the players that took part in the U-19 European Championship last year, where we lost 4-0 to Spain in the final.
Sources: FIFA Official
