Soccer-France aim to make last four by taking inspiration from men's team

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - France Media Day - Clairefontaine, France - June 28, 2023 France players and coaching staff pose for a team group photo REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - France's women's side will look to follow in the footsteps of the country's men's team having finally put their off-field dramas behind them when they start their World Cup campaign aiming for a semi-final spot in Australia and New Zealand.

Les Bleues have never got past the quarter-finals but under miracle-maker Herve Renard, who replaced Corinne Diacre after three top players indicated they would not play under the former coach, anything seems possible despite some key absences.