*As the world of football counts down to the reveal of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ official emblem and slogan – in Paris on 19 September – we are interviewing major figures from the women’s game about the history, the present and the future of the Women’s World Cup.***
France is set to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019
David Trezeguet, who enjoyed success at France 1998, had some advice for his countrywomen
“The French people love sport, and their national teams,” he said
Whether at UEFA EURO 1984 or EURO 2016, or at the 1998 FIFA World Cup™, France has proven that it can handle major football tournaments with aplomb, and that its team tends to shine whenever it takes on hosting duties.
Under Michel Hidalgo, Les Bleus emerged victorious from the European Championship in 1984, while under Didier Deschamps, they reached the continental final in 2016. Sandwiched in between those two achievements, Aime Jacquet led the French to their greatest accomplishment – a World Cup triumph – in 1998.
With nearly 20 years having gone by since that moment of glory, the country is now preparing to welcome the footballing world to its shores once again, this time for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2019.
French sport fans would love to see a similarly successful outcome, especially David Trezeguet, who was part of the winning squad in 1998. Having only retired from the game in 2015, the iconic striker is well placed to judge the French women's team's ability to write a new and unforgettable chapter in the country's sporting history.
“When a World Cup is held in France, it’s such an incredible event,” the former goalscorer told FIFA.com. “Since 1998, and also after the experience of EURO 2016, everything's in place, with great organisation, built on solid foundations. Every time France has the chance of doing something big in the world of sport, it always carries it off well. It’s going to be a tournament to remember!”
Importance of teamwork On the pitch, could the players who grew up watching Trezeguet and Co actually end up emulating them? “Drive, passion and hard work – really demanding work, in fact – have made the women’s national team what it is today,” said the ex-Monaco and Juventus front man. “And so when you take all that into account, they’re definitely a contender to win the whole thing.”
There is no doubt that if Les Bleues benefit from the same level of public support, as their male counterparts did almost two decades ago, they will be in with a shout. “French people love sport, and they love their national teams even more. They’re really going to get behind this team,” said the 39-year-old, who was only 19 in 1998, but who now has the necessary experience to pass on some succinct advice to his female compatriots.
“They should enjoy the matches and the atmosphere, make the most of playing at the highest level, and most importantly, given that they’ll be part of a squad aiming to win the competition, play and work as a team.”