Despite a successful career in international play in recent years, France has been in turmoil behind the scenes. In March, the French federation fired its former coach, Corinne Diacre, after players complained of a unhealthy environment in the team.
Hervé Renard, a well-travelled coach who has never managed a women’s team, has worked to stabilize the ship.
But Jamaica, a team playing in its second World Cup, quelled that streak on Sunday, earning its first point in the standings with an unlikely draw against France, 0-0. Jamaica had to use crowdfunding websites to raise money for the team’s trip to Australia and New Zealand, and lost all three of its matches in the 2019 group stage.
