This archive report was first published on 29 June 2019.
Published on June 29, 2019, France's women's football team was left disappointed after a 2-1 loss to the USA in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The team, led by coach Corinne Diacre, had hoped to emulate the men's team, which won the World Cup in Russia last year and as hosts in 1998.
However, the women's team was eliminated in the quarter-finals, marking their fifth straight major tournament exit at this stage.
The loss also denied France a place at the 2020 Olympics, adding to the team's disappointment.
Despite the setback, French Football Federation (FFF) President Noel Le Graet confirmed that Diacre would remain in charge until the end of her contract, which is set to expire after Euro 2021 in England.
Le Graet stated, "She will be in charge until the end of her contract, if not longer," in an interview with AFP.
The FFF has pledged to invest 15 million euros ($17 million) in a post-World Cup "legacy" fund to develop the women's game in France.
The federation aims to increase the number of registered female players to 200,000 next year, a 10% increase from the current figure.
However, the women's domestic league in France faces challenges in attracting a larger following, with modest attendances and low television rights deals compared to the men's game.
FFF President Le Graet emphasized the need to "keep putting money in" and professionalize the women's game to catch up with other countries.
Lyon and France forward Eugenie Le Sommer warned, "We need to keep putting money in, keep professionalising, because other countries are doing it and maybe that's why they are ahead of us."
