The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed that Les Bleues will participate in the upcoming Under-20 Women's World Cup, standing firm despite a looming standoff between UEFA and FIFA. While other European nations remain silent on their involvement, France has taken a definitive step toward competing in Poland next month.
England will face Greece in the first round of Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs in October, having failed to secure direct entry into next summer's tournament. Defeat to Spain in June proved extremely costly for the Lionesses, allowing the world champions to top the qualifying group instead, and now Sarina Wiegman's side must navigate two rounds of two-legged play-offs instead, starting against Greece.
It's always hard for representatives of a team that did not succeed to make a point about issues with a qualifying format, but few could begrudge the frustration evident among the England squad on Tuesday after the Lionesses fell short of the one automatic qualification spot available to them for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
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