France U-20 team profile: key players, full squad list, coach for 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Desculpe, esta página só está disponível em inglês.

Assuntos: France, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Bernard Diomède, FIFA U-20 World Cup

Will France's under-20 squad be able to match the senior team's heroics from Russia last summer? Live Soccer TV takes a look at the team's history at past World Cups ahead of the tournament in Poland in just a few weeks' time.

What is France's U-20's history in the FIFA U-20 World Cup?

Despite producing some impressive players over the years like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, France's under-20 side have struggled to make inroads historically at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Les Bleuets first appeared at the 1977 edition, but failed to qualify for 20 years until reappearing in 1997, where they made the quarter-finals. They again missed out in 1999, but secured another quarter-finals berth at the 2001 edition staged in Argentina.

It would be another ten years before France again graced the biannual tournament, where in 2011 they ended up clinching fourth spot, led by none other than Atletico Madrid's Griezmann. Two years later, Pogba would do even better by leading them all the way to the winners' podium, but they failed to defend their title in 2015 as they didn't even qualify for the competition.

After seeing their tournament ambitions end abruptly in South Korea two years ago, how far will this French side go in Poland? Will they match the heroics of the senior squad in Russia from last summer? We will have to wait and see.

What is France's group at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup?

France U-20 are in Group E. For more information and analysis on the French's Last 16 qualification chances, check out Group E analysis: France, Mali, Panama, Saudi Arabia - FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019 teams.

What is France U-20's full squad list for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup?

Here is France's final 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Alban Lafont, Didier Desprez, Illan Meslier

Defenders: Thomas Basila, Nicolas Cozza, Boubacar Kamara, Evan N'Dicka, William Saliba, Sambou Sissoko, Dan-Axel Zagadou

Midfielders: Mickael Cuisance, Ibrahima Diallo, Youssouf Fofana, Enzo Loiodice, Boubakary Soumare

Forwards: Yacine Adli, Nabil Alioui, Moussa Diaby, Amine Gouiri, Lenny Pintor, Moussa Sylla

Who are the key players to watch for France U-20 at the U-20 World Cup?

Although Lyon's Amine Gouiri was key in getting Les Bleuets to Poland with two braces against Turkey and England, he hasn't been included in this squad, as he will likely instead be taking part in the upcoming UEFA U-21 EURO championship in June along with star shot-stopper Alban Lafont. That means that one player who could really shine for the team in Poland could be Dortmund's Dan-Axel Zagadou. Despite being just 19, he has made over 20 appearances for die Schwarzgelben across all comps this season, and the tall defender has proven to be a solid presence in the back as Lucien Favre's men seek to end Bayern Munich's stranglehold on the league title this term.

Who is France's U-20's coach?

World Cup winner Bernard Diomède is France's coach. The former left winger played most of his career with Auxerre - save for a brief stint with Liverpool - before moving into coaching in 2015. He has been working with the youth sides since, staring with the u-17 team in 2015, followed by the u-18 team a year later, then the u-19 side and now the u-20 squad. This has allowed him to essentially continuously work with the same group of players over the years, but will he be able to turn this good working relationship into something great in Poland this spring?

How can I watch France's U-20's 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup matches?

Les Bleuets will kick off their group stage campaign against Saudi Arabia, Panama, and Mali, and here's how you can watch France's U-20's FIFA U-20 World Cup fixtures: