France World Cup Team

France Headlines

Gallas blames coach for French World Cup failure: Arsenal defender William Gallas says outgoing France coach Raymond Domenech is principally to blame for the team's World Cup debacle in South Africa.
New French coach promises change: New France coach Laurent Blanc was "outraged" by the behaviour of certain players during the World Cup debacle and plans to rebuild the national team with only players he can trust.
French soccer boss quits: 'I am ashamed': Outgoing French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes says he is ashamed of France's World Cup fiasco and accepts a large share of responsibility for what happened.
France's soccer coach appears before parliament: Lawmakers taking part in a closed-door hearing about France's World Cup fiasco say that coach Raymond Domenech refuses to take any responsibility for his team's misbehaviour and offers no real explanation for their debacle.
Don't mix soccer, politics: Blatter to France: FIFA president Sepp Blatter warned French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday that the country's national team risks suspension from global tournaments if he meddles in the running of its soccer federation.
French team 'sorry' over World Cup debacle: Evra: Patrice Evra, who was dropped as France captain during the World Cup, acknowledged the squad's walkout from a training session at the tournament was a fiasco and apologized on behalf of the players.
French captain has parting shots for coach: France captain Patrice Evra is furious at coach Raymond Domenech for denying him the chance to apologize to French fans for the team's World Cup debacle, and for dropping him from the last match for "no valid reason."
World Cup post-game: South Africa 2, France 1: South Africa posted an inspired 2-1 victory over France in its final Group A game, but it wasn't enough to move the host nation into the Round of 16.
South Africa finishes with flourish over France: South Africa scored twice in the first half and held on for a 2-1 win over 10-man France at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Monday.
French coach rips into World Cup squad: France coach Raymond Domenech says his players acted like imbeciles in protesting Nicolas Anelka's expulsion by refusing to train only two days before the match that decides their FIFA World Cup future.
French imploding as players refuse to practice: France team director Jean-Louis Valentin says the national team is refusing to train following a dispute on the practice field.
French rift shouldn't have gone public: Zidane: Zinedine Zidane is disappointed by France's on-field performances at the World Cup and doesn't agree with the team's actions off it.
Anelka refused to apologize: Domenech: France coach Raymond Domenech says he gave star forward Nicolas Anelka the chance to apologize for his profanity-laced outburst, and that his refusal to do so justified his expulsion.
Anelka to retire from French squad: French star Nicolas Anelka apparently has retired after he was thrown off his nation's World Cup team after getting into a heated exchange with coach Raymond Domenech and refusing to apologize.
World Cup post-game: Mexico 2, France 0: Javier Hernandez netted the winning goal to guide Mexico to a 2-0 victory over France Thursday at the FIFA World Cup in Group A action from South Africa.
France was an accident waiting to happen: No other squad went into the tournament in such low spirits, no one boasted a manager that enjoyed the confidence of his players and the wider public less.
Mexico deals crushing blow to France: Mexico remains undefeated at the World Cup after posting a 2-0 victory over France.
Zidane critical of French team: Former France captain Zinedine Zidane says Raymond Domenech "is not a coach" and that "there is no teamwork" among the French players at the World Cup.
World Cup post-game: Uruguay 0, France 0: Uruguay and France battled to a dour 0-0 stalemate Friday at the FIFA World Cup, eight years after batttling to a similar goal-less draw at soccer's showpiece event.
France, Uruguay keep each other at bay: France were not very impressive in Friday's Cape Town clash against Uruguay, the group phase's only meeting of two former champions. But Uruguay found it impossible to look impressive against them.
France, Uruguay battle to draw at Cape Town: A match between former champions produced an opening day World Cup dud, with France and Uruguay drawing 0-0 in Cape Town.
Domenech says ideal preparation means no excuses: France coach Raymond Domenech said his players will have no excuses if they fail at the World Cup because of the ideal preparation they have enjoyed.
Gignac ready to take his chance in France team: France striker Andre-Pierre Gignac appreciates just how much it means to be at the World Cup after clawing his way back from the obscurity of French football's lower leagues.
Gallas refusing to speak to media at World Cup: France defender William Gallas is refusing to speak to the media at the World Cup.
France's sport minister rips team over pricey hotel: France sports minister Rama Yade questioned Sunday whether the national football squad needs such luxurious lodgings at the World Cup, suggesting instead a thriftier option should have been used during a time of economic crisis.
France suffers embarrassing loss to China: France lost 1-0 to China in its final warmup match in Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island, before the start of the World Cup in South Africa.
France needs a leader at World Cup: Raymond Domenech's snub for Patrick Vieira has left France with no obvious leader either on or off the pitch for its World Cup campaign in South Africa.
Hugo Lloris: Saintly stopper: The world will forever remember Thierry Henry's blatant hand ball, but many forget Hugo Lloris's efforts that night to keep the Irish at bay.
French defence shaky in draw with Tunisia: France needed a second-half game-tying goal from Arsenal defender William Gallas to earn a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in a World Cup warmup match on Sunday.
In defence of Raymond Domenech: Given the negative reaction that Raymond Domenech inspires in his own country, it is a sobering thought that he has made history as France coach.
France's new formation shows promise during win: Mathieu Valbuena scored in his international debut to help France beat Costa Rica 2-1 in a World Cup warmup Wednesday.
Anelka finally getting his chance to shine: France striker Nicolas Anelka has no intention of letting his chance to finally shine at the World Cup slip after not getting selected for the last three tournaments.
Thierry Henry: Va-Va-Voom: Even at the age of 32, Thierry Henry's golden finishing touch still puncuates many of France's captivating movements.
France names World Cup squad: Raymond Domenech has announced that the 23 players who are training at the French Alpine resort of Tignes will all be going to the World Cup next month.
Diarra diagnosed with blood cell disorder: France midfielder Lassana Diarra was ruled out of the World Cup because of a genetic red blood cell disorder, according to his Spanish club Real Madrid.
French players subjected to drug testing: French players have undergone random doping tests at their World Cup training camp in the Alpine resort of Tignes.
France's Gallas recovering well from injury: France defender William Gallas looks to be recovering well from a calf injury in his bid to play in the World Cup, which begins next month in South Africa.
Blanc to take over as France coach: Laurent Blanc will take over as France coach after the World Cup, the French soccer federation said Thursday after reaching a deal with his former club Bordeaux.
France loses midfielder Diarra for World Cup: France midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a stomach ailment.
Domenech reduces France World Cup squad to 24: Raymond Domenech has cut his French World Cup squad to 24 men, taking an extra player in case Arsenal defender William Gallas doesn't recover from a calf injury in time.
Petit says Domenech should have chosen Vieira: Former France and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit said coach Raymond Domenech made a mistake by omitting Patrick Vieira in his provisional WC squad.
Benzema left out of France's World Cup squad: Karim Benzema has been left out of France's preliminary World Cup squad, and coach Raymond Domenech said it's because of the striker's poor season.
K'naan and the World Cup Trophy Tour in France: Musician K'naan continues his journey on the World Cup Trophy Tour, touching down in France where he talks about the power of soccer and the World Cup.
French teen admits to paid sex with Ribery: A French prostitute has confirmed she had paid sex with several World Cup team members but claims none of her customers knew she was under 18 at the time.
Ribery, Benzema linked to prostitution scandal: The police probe into a suspected prostitution ring has cast serious doubt as to whether Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema will be called into France's World Cup squad.
5 players to watch from France at the World Cup: Thierry Henry is just one of five players for France's national team that soccer fans should keep an eye out this summer at the World Cup.
French farce on the cards at World Cup: Is France a World Cup contender? Not according to CBC Sports soccer commentator Nigel Reed, who believes Les Bleus are in real danger of an embarrassing first round exit.
Domenech frets over form of key French players: France coach Raymond Domenech is worried that players such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira are out of form less than a month before he picks his World Cup squad.
Arsenal loses Gallas for season: coach: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger predicted William Gallas would be sidelined for the rest of the Premiership season, putting his appearance at the World Cup for France in doubt.
Midfielder Toulalan defends current France team: Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan lashed out Friday at members of France's 1998 World Cup-winning team for their criticism of the current national squad.
Apologize? Zidane would rather die: Former Real Madrid and France soccer star Zinedine Zidane says he regrets headbutting Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final, but he'd rather die than apologize to the Italian. defender.
Domenech pegs Le Guen, Giresse as contenders for his replacement: Raymond Domenech says Paul Le Guen or Alain Giresse could replace him as coach of France's national soccer team after the World Cup.
Thierry Henry escapes FIFA sanctions: French striker Thierry Henry will not be punished for his handball offence against Ireland in a World Cup qualifying game, FIFA ruled Monday.
Vieira joins Manchester City on loan deal: Patrick Vieira signed an initial six-month deal with Manchester City on Friday, and the former Inter Milan midfielder hopes it will boost his chances of making France's World Cup squad.
Gignac is France's rising star: Forget about Real Madrid's Karim Benzema - CBC Sports analyst Jason de Vos argues that Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is French soccer's hottest prospect.
Domenech to lead France at World Cup: Raymond Domenech was confirmed as France's coach Friday and will lead his team at next year's World Cup in South Africa, French federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said Friday.
Brazil, Portugal in World Cup Group of Death: The Samba Boys are in tough in 2010, as Brazil was drawn into the Group of Death with Ivory Coast, Portugal and North Korea during the World Cup draw ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa.
Team Profile: France: Although only one point separated first-place Serbia and France, it was the Serbs who were the class of their qualifying group.
France's Ribery known for his quick feet: Franck Ribery's quick feet and marksman-like ability to score goals at the perfect moment has made him one of the most dangerous players in the world today.