A review of the Parisian women’s international break

Women's football•

This week, 13 Parisian players were called up by their national team manager to take part in the final international break of the season. From friendly matches to the conclusion of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, find out all the results for the Rouge & Bleu players involved.

France and Spain have qualified directly for the World Cup, while the Netherlands and Poland will face play-offs

This qualifying phase for the 2027 World Cup was particularly demanding, as only the top four nations in each group secured automatic qualification for Brazil. Drawn in Group A2 alongside the Netherlands, Poland and Ireland, the French team had to fight right to the end to avoid another play-off round. During this final international break, Thiniba Samoura and Sakina Karchaoui started in the last two matches, which saw France beat Paulina Dudek’s Poland in Gdansk (0-2) and then Ireland in Grenoble (1-0). Mission accomplished for Laurent Bonadei’s players, who finish top of the group, two points clear of the Netherlands.

The Oranje may have some regrets, particularly following their unexpected defeat in Ireland in early June (3-2), despite Romée Leuchter's presence. The top scorer of the Arkéma Première Ligue season did, however, shine on the final day of qualifying, scoring a goal in her side’s victory over Poland (3-1), Leuchter helped her team finish just behind Les Bleues.

Poland, having been beaten twice during this latest international week, finish bottom of Group A2 but retain a chance of qualifying for the World Cup via the play-offs in autumn.

Spain, for their part, avoided any added pressure by putting on a show to finish top of their group. Coming on in the 84th minute against England, who had been group leaders at kick-off, Olga Carmona was able to play her part in her team’s goal-fest, which ended in a convincing 4-0 victory. This sets them up to face the final matchday in Iceland with confidence. Although she did not feature, the Parisian defender was able to enjoy another display of strength from her teammates in Reykjavik (1-6) as they secured top spot in the group.

Mixed results in the friendlies

Whilst the European nations were wrapping up this first phase of World Cup qualifying, other members of the capital club kept up the pace in a series of friendly matches. Starting in goal for Haiti, Océane Toussaint secured two victories in the two friendly matches organised in Málaga against New Zealand (1-2) and Equatorial Guinea (3-1).

A few kilometres away, Tara Elimbi Gilbert, captain of the France U23 team, was powerless to stop the USA U23s during a double friendly match held in Algeciras (0-5 / 1-2).

Meanwhile, Isabela and Yaya took on the US women’s first team in a two-legged tie in São Paulo and then Fortaleza, Brazil. Having won the first leg 2–1, the Auriverde lost by the narrowest of margins a few days later.

Playing against Senegal with Nigeria, Rasheedat Ajibade provided an assist in her second match, which her side won 2–1. A few days earlier, the Nigerian captain had already started in the Super Eagles’ convincing 3–0 victory over the same opponents.

A review of the Parisian women’s international break

France and Spain have qualified directly for the World Cup, while the Netherlands and Poland will face play-offs

Mixed results in the friendlies

In this article

France and Spain have qualified directly for the World Cup, while the Netherlands and Poland will face play-offs

Mixed results in the friendlies