The FFF Honors The 2002 French Women's Soccer National Team ...

Marinette Pichon (up) and Emmanuelle Sykora celebrate France's 1-0 win which led them to advance to ... [+] the 2003 World Cup. (Photo by Olivier Prevosto/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

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On the occasion of the Euro 2025 qualifying match between France and England on Tuesday, June 4, at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, the French Football Federation (FFF) will hold a special ceremony.

22 years ago in Saint-Etienne, the French women’s national team hosted and defeated their English counterparts, securing their first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

To celebrate this historic achievement, the FFF has decided to invite these players to the match and honor them.

In the qualifying campaign for the next UEFA European Championship, the double confrontation against England will be crucial for France’s qualification.

After securing a win in the first leg match (2-1, last Friday in Newcastle), the Bleues welcome the Lionesses today, Tuesday, June 4, in Saint-Étienne (9:00 p.m., live on France’s W9 channel).

It is a match that brings back memories.

Almost 22 years ago, the French women's team wrote one of the greatest chapters in its history by securing its participation in the first World Cup through a play-off against England in the same Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.

Having led the aggregation by defeating the English at Crystal Palace (1-0, goal scored by Marinette Pichon on October 17, 2002), the players led by Élisabeth Loisel confirmed their domination a month later.

On Saturday, November 16, 2002, in front of 23,680 spectators and live on Canal+, captain Corinne Diacre scored the only goal (1-0) and sent France to the World Cup.

Initially organized in China, the FIFA 2003 World Cup was relocated to the United States. With a win, a draw, and a defeat, France finished third in their group behind Brazil and Norway.

What’s On The Program?

France participated in the 2003 World Cup for the first time ever. (Photo by Tim SLOAN / AFP)

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The French Football Federation decided to take advantage of the France-England matchup to honor the 2002 Bleues squad and their staff. They have been invited for an exceptional day of gathering. The program for those attending includes:

A meeting with Hervé Renard and his staff; A visit to the “Musée des Verts” (ASSE Saint-Etienne’s Museum) followed by a conference on the evolution of women's football, its development, and the place of women in practice in the presence of young players from the Pôle Espoirs de Lyon, educators and leaders of the League Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes; A tribute before France-England which will be kicked off by the legendary French coach Aimé Jacquet.

This initiative continues the actions carried out in connection with the creation of the Federal Commission for internationals and football internationals.

Who Were They?

Sonia Bompastor was a star in the French squad. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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If women’s soccer is where it is now, then we owe a great deal to the female soccer players of previous decades. Their contributions have significantly impacted the current state of the game, helping to open many doors.

Highlighting their efforts is therefore entirely deserved, which is why the FFF has decided to honor them during this new match against the Lionesses.

Here are the 18 players that were part of that 2002 squad:

Céline Marty Sabrina Viguier Aline Riera Ubiergo Corinne Deacon (Captain) Peggy Provost Sandrine Soubeyrand Sonia Bompastor Stéphanie Mugneret-Béghé Laura Georges Élodie Woock Marinette Pichon Marie-Ange Kramo Emmanuelle Sykora Céline Deville Sarah M’Barek Candie Herbert Séverine Lecoufle Hoda Lattaf

Additionally, the FFF will honor the coaching staff that was behind this qualification:

Marilou Duringer (Head of delegation) Bernadette Constantin (Head of delegation) Elisabeth Loisel (Head coach) Frédéric Alcaraz (Assistant coach) Francis Hernandez (Goalkeeper coach) Gérard Nauge (Team doctor) Michel Riou (Physiotherapist)