Fifa Women's World Cup: Jamaica celebrate historic draw against France

1. FT: France 0-0 Jamaica - Khadija Shaw sent off late on
2. France reached at least quarter-finals in past three World Cups, Jamaica making second appearance
3. Brazil face Panama in other Group F game on Monday
4. Get Involved: Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp [phone], text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

Anna Thompson

BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

There's definitely a lot of support for France with the Marseillaise being sung with gusto in the stadium.

And there's a few Jamaica fans here, proudly displaying their national flags.

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France get us started. Can Jamaica cause an almighty shock?

Jamaica's sister act

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

Jamaica have a pair of sisters, Allyson and Chantelle Swaby, as their central defensive pairing for this game.

They will hope the sisters maintain a good relationship here - they could be in for a testing evening.

Some rousing national anthems being sung and we are almost ready to get going in this one.

Lights and sounds of the World Cup

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

We've just had the obligatory light show before a major match in a Fifa competition.

Then something more Australian - the sound of a didgery-doo, and then a statement paying respect to the Aboriginal Australians and welcoming guests from all backgrounds to the competition.

Group F ready to go

This is the first match in Group F and pits France, ranked fifth in the world, against Jamaica, who are 38 places lower down at 43rd.

Tomorrow at 12:00 BST in Adelaide comes the other teams in the group as eighth-ranked Brazil take on Panama, statistically the weakest team in the group down at 52nd.

Everyone then plays again next Saturday with France against Brazil in Brisbane before Panama take on Jamaica in Perth.

The final matches in the group are on 2 August at 11:00 BST with Panama v France in Sydney and Jamaica v Brazil in Melbourne.

A taste of home

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

A nice touch to make the French journalists feel at home in the press centre - the tea bags are from France.

No confirmation on whether the coffee is Jamaican.

Emma Smith

Game one of six at the Sydney Football Stadium

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

This was the scene at Sydney Football Stadium around four hours before kick-off. The bright sunshine and blue skies are now gone, unfortunately.

This is the first of six games to take place at this arena, regular home of the national football, rugby union and rugby league teams, as well as A-League side Sydney FC.

France will get especially used to these surroundings, as their final group game against Panama is also here, while England face Denmark here in their second game of the World Cup on Friday.

Emma Smith

'We are very happy with the video'

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

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A popular video went around social media in the build-up to the World Cup by France's official team sponsors Orange.

It showed skilful moves and stunning goals in football. They appeared to be performed by the French men’s team, before it was revealed it was actually the women's team.

It has been applauded for its powerful message in promoting women’s football and equality.

I asked Paris St-Germain defender Elisa De Almeida about it earlier this week at their training ground in Sydney.

"We are very happy to see this video. It shows there is something going on in the way to improve women’s football," she said.

"We are very happy with that and we think it is something good for women’s football."

'This is a very different French team'

Julien Laurens

French football expert on BBC Two

The quarter-finals had previously been the glass ceiling for this side. They broke that at the Euros as they got to the semi-finals, and I think that is at least the target for this tournament.

Herve Renard has brought everything that Corinne Diacre did not; man management, the players really like him, the big smile, the energy, he speaks really well.

And most importantly, he wants this squad to be a proper squad, which has not been the case in previous years. The tensions are gone now.

On the pitch we will see, to begin with Jamaica but also against Brazil next week. Certainly in terms of mindset and spirit this is a very different French team now

'You have to take the bullets'

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

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Jamaica manager Lorne Donaldson has been speaking about stepping up from his assistant role at the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup to lead his country this time.

Donaldson was installed in June 2022 after players called for the dismissal of his predecessor Vin Blaine, and guided the team to qualification as they look to improve on their 2019 showing - and avoid losing all three games.

“It’s a privilege, I am blessed to give a helping hand to Jamaica," he said yesterday. "Not a lot has changed, but the chips fall on your head, you have to take the bullets.”

Shaw aims to shine on the big stage

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Jamaica have had a disrupted build-up to the World Cup, with their players last month expressing their "utmost disappointment" in the "sub-par" support from the country's football federation in the lead-in to the tournament.

They do, however, boast Khadija Shaw in their ranks.

The 26-year-old emerged as one of the best forwards in the Women's Super League for Manchester City last season, scoring 31 goals in 30 matches across all competitions.

'We are here to play games'

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

Jamaica are one of several teams to have been blighted by off-field issues in the run-up to this World Cup, with players writing an open letter to their national federation with complaints ranging from "sub-par planning" to lack of "access to proper resources."

However, forward Atlanta Primus skirted around off field issues in the pre-match press conference yesterday.

“I’m not going to comment on that. We are here to play games, and we’re super excited for that.”

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Rachel's prediction

Rachel Brown-Finnis

Ex-England goalkeeper

I am expecting Jamaica to blast out of the blocks, and they might give France an early scare here... but then peter out as the game goes on.

I still don't think this France team have got everything in order after a difficult few months off the pitch but they are better than they were at last year's Euros, when they reached the semi-finals, so they will be dangerous. 2-1.

Colourful entrance for fans

Anna Thompson

BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

The sun sets in Sydney about 6pm (which is 9am in the UK) but fans are treated to a colourful arrival at the Football Stadium with the steps up to the turnstiles painted in the official colours of the tournament.

It's been a dry day here but it's now bucketing it down with rain as the players warm up.

BBC Sport

'We have the same objective'

Emma Smith

BBC Sport reporter at Sydney Football Stadium

France captain Wendie Renard gave a knowing smile at the pre-match press conference when asked about her relationship with coach Herve Renard.

She nearly missed the World Cup after falling out with ex-boss Corinne Diacre, releasing a statement saying she would skip the tournament for the sake of her mental health.

Diacre was sacked in March, shortly after this statement was released, with H. Renard installed.

“We need to focus, because we also have the same name!" joked W. Renard. "We have a good relationship, the same objective.”

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Can France reach the quarter-finals again?

France have reached at least the quarter-finals in their last three World Cup appearances, with their best result being a fourth-placed finish in 2011.

Jamaica, who qualified by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, are taking part in their second Women's World Cup after making their debuts in 2019, losing all three games.

'This World Cup is different'

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Sydney Football Stadium

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The France squad is packed full of talent but they have never quite lived up to their potential on the world stage, crashing out in major tournaments before being able to compete for silverware.

Now, after years of turmoil and controversy under former manager Corinne Diacre, they are embarking on a fresh journey with Hervé Renard, hoping to put aside previous issues.

Forward Kadidiatou Diani was asked about those previous disappointments at World Cups and whether France are ready to turn things around now.

"This one is different. It is true we have a lot of change. We feel the team is really strong together," said Diani.

"Every player wants to show that they are here for team spirit and the team mindset. We can see that in each training session and in each game.

"We all want to win whether we are starting or not. Everyone feels involved in the project and maybe this is why it’s different from other competitions."

'Herve Renard is exactly what France needed'

Julien Laurens

French football expert on BBC Two

It was clearly a players' revolt. For the French Football Federation, it was a choice of either go with the players or back up Corinne Diacre and risk not being able to call upon some of the top players for this tournament.

What we saw with Spain [standing by Jorge Vilda] didn’t happen with France, they decided to get rid of the manager Corinne Diacre and appoint a new one in Herve Renard.

He coached Saudi Arabia at the men’s World Cup, of course led them to that famous win over Argentina in the first game. But he has never coached in the women’s game before, this is all new to him.

He’s brought a lot of fresh, new ideas and that is exactly what the team needed.