Challenge Espoirs

Last updated
Challenge Espoirs
Organising body French Football Federation
Founded2024
CountryFrance (11 teams)
Other club(s) fromMonaco (1 team)
Number of clubs12
Website fff.fr

The Challenge Espoirs is an annual under-23 men's football competition in France. Created in 2024, it is contested by twelve teams belonging to youth academies of professional clubs.

Contents

History

On 27 September 2024, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced the creation of the Challenge Espoirs, with the mission being to "give playing time to young players from the U18 to U23 categories, especially those are part of professional squads of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs." [1] The first edition, established as an unofficial competition, included twelve teams that belong to youth academies of professional clubs. [2]

On 21 May 2025, the final of the first edition between Monaco and Rennes was abandoned at the 82nd minute due to Monaco's Samuel Nibombé going into cardiac arrest. Although Monaco was leading 2–1 when the match was stopped, no winner was determined. [3]

Format

The competition is contested by twelve teams composed of under-17 through under-23 players. However, there is a maximum of five players that can come from the under-17 and under-18 categories. [4] The first edition was split into two groups of six teams that each compete against each other once, for a total of five matchdays. [5] At the end of the season, the top two teams of each group play semi-finals and a final to determine a champion. [1]

Reception

The creation of the Challenge Espoirs was received with unanimous satisfaction among participants. Some directors, such as Monaco director Sébastien Muet, spoke positively about the competition in the press. [6]

Clubs

2024–25 Challenge Espoirs clubs [7]
Group AGroup B
Le Havre Ajaccio
Montpellier Auxerre
Nantes Caen
Paris Saint-Germain Monaco
Saint-Étienne Paris FC
Toulouse Rennes

References

  1. 1 2 "Football. Pour faire progresser les jeunes, la FFF crée le Challenge espoirs". Ouest-France (in French). 27 September 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "Foot : PSG-Nantes, Caen-Auxerre... Le Challenge des Espoirs, la nouvelle compétition de la FFF, débute ce week-end". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  3. ↑ par, Écrit (2025-05-22). "Challenge Espoirs : Pas de vainqueur dans cette finale entre le Stade Rennais et l'AS Monaco". Les Olympistes (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  4. ↑ Bouchacourt, Jérome (2024-10-21). "Le calendrier complet du premier Challenge des espoirs". Foot Amateur (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  5. ↑ "Temps de jeu, adversité, développement: le nouveau Challenge Espoir séduit les formateurs français". RMC Sport (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  6. ↑ "« C'est une vraie plus-value » : le Challenge Espoirs, qu'est-ce que c'est ? (Foot)". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  7. ↑ "Challenge Espoirs : tous les résultats". www.fff.fr. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
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