Dr. Mahfoud Amara
The French national football team kicked off their group stage campaign yesterday, facing Austria.
This match marked another symbolic moment for the team’s representation of France’s ethnic diversity, often referred to as “black blanc beur,” mirroring French society’s model of integration.
However, this symbolism comes amidst the growing influence of far-right political movements, not only in France but also across Europe.
Since the 1990s, when far-right parties had less influence and marginal media presence, the national team has been at the center of debates on French identity. This discussion often surrounds talented football players of North African and Sub-Saharan descent, many of whom were born in France are graduates of French football academies playing in top European leagues. Critics have accused these players of lacking loyalty to French history and values, disregarding France’s colonial past, which intertwined football’s spread in North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
They overlook the significant contributions of soldiers from French colonies, many of whom died on European soil, followed by waves of migrants who helped rebuild post-war France (and Europe), particularly in construction and automotive industries—ancestors to today’s players on the French team.
During times of identity crisis, the French national team has stood as a counterpoint to far-right narratives. From the 1998 World Cup generation led by Zinedine Zidane to today’s stars like Kylian Mbappé. Unlike their predecessors, today’s players engage actively in political and civic discourse, amplified by social media and Web 3.0 platforms, and inspired by the Black Lives Matters and Me Too movements.
Players like Mbappé, with millions of followers, wield significant influence, particularly on societal issues.
Mbappé and 200 other athletes and former athletes called on French youth to vote in the coming parliamentary elections on 30th June and 7th July against the far-right party Rassemblement National, which garnered over 30% of the vote in recent European elections.
The French national football team continues to serve as a microcosm of France’s evolving identity and societal challenges. Amidst the resurgence of far-right political movements across Europe, the team’s diverse composition and players’ active engagement in social issues stand as a powerful symbol of unity and integration.
From challenging historical narratives to advocating for civic participation, these athletes exemplify the evolving role of sports in shaping and reflecting national discourse in France, and beyond.
(Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University.)
Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University.
