Matildas to play France in final Women’s World Cup warm-up
The Matildas will play France in Melbourne six days before opening their home World Cup campaign, rounding out their preparations against another top-five opponent to complement April’s away friendly against England.
Tony Gustavsson’s side will reunite at Marvel Stadium on 14 July for the traditional ‘send-off match’ before relocating Brisbane, where they will base themselves throughout the group stage of the tournament proper, during which they will play the Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada.
The fixture is a coup and will present Sam Kerr and the team with an ideal chance to refine their game against the the world No 5 nation, albeit one without captain Wendie Renard and some other high-profile names who have announced they will not play as divisions within French football deepen.
France were beaten by eventual champions the United States in the quarter-finals of their home 2019 World Cup but more recently made the semifinals of Euro 2022.
“France have been consistently one of the best nations in the world with incredible quality across all parts of the game. It will be one final challenge for us just days out from our World Cup opener,” Gustavsson said, calling the match “an essential final piece” of his team’s two-year preparations.
“Playing a big nation and a World Cup contender in front of a large and vocal Melbourne crowd will not only provide the team with a send-off they will remember and be inspired by, but it will give us one final taste of what to expect just days later in our opening match against the Republic of Ireland.”
The announcement comes three days after Renard, said she will not play at the World Cup because it is “necessary to preserve my mental health”. According to a report in French multimedia outlet RMC Sport, the eight-time European champion with Lyon will not play for the national team as long as the coach, Corinne Diacre, is in charge.
Shortly after Renard’s statement, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, who have made a combined 114 appearances for France, voiced their support and announced that they would be stepping down from the national team until changes are made.
France begin their World Cup against Jamaica, whom Australia defeated 3-0 last week to win the Cup of Nations, following earlier victories against the Czech Republic and another factious European nation, Spain, during which they played some of their best football since Gustavsson took over.
The Matildas have not played France since an away 2-0 friendly loss in 2018.