2026/27: The names to know in Ligue 3 Betclic
The 18 clubs competing in Ligue 3 Betclic are ready for a season that promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
The objective at the top of the table is clear. The first two teams will earn automatic promotion to Ligue 2 BKT, while the side finishing third will enter the promotion play-offs.
With matches shown on Ligue 1+ on Thursdays and Saturdays, the division will also feature a particularly recognisable cast this season. Former France internationals, experienced Ligue 1 players and some of the country’s most highly regarded young talents will all be involved.
Among the biggest developments of the summer was the return of Mathieu Bodmer to SM Caen as sporting director. A two-time Ligue 1 champion with Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain during his playing career, Bodmer arrives following an impressive spell behind the scenes at Le Havre AC.
Former internationals move into the dugout
Bodmer is not the only familiar figure at Caen. Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Gaël Clichy, who won 20 caps for France, has been the Normandy club’s head coach since the end of 2025.
Newly promoted AS Cannes will also be able to call upon considerable international experience. Former France goalkeeper Grégory Coupet, capped 34 times by Les Bleus, and former midfielder Morgan Amalfitano are both part of Mathieu Chabert’s coaching staff.
Another former goalkeeper, Charles Itandje, is working as goalkeeping coach at FC Versailles. The former RC Lens player was once included in a preliminary France squad before later representing Cameroon at international level.
At Valenciennes FC, former club defender Rudy Mater is working alongside Pierre Blois, while one of the division’s most experienced coaches has taken charge of US Concarneau.
Stéphane Moulin, who spent a decade as Angers SCO head coach before later spells with Caen and Valenciennes, has accumulated more than 400 matches across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
Lopez and Tchokounté among the summer’s biggest arrivals
Clubs across Ligue 3 have been busy strengthening their squads during the summer transfer window.
One of the most notable arrivals is Julien Lopez, who has returned to the south of France to join AS Cannes at the age of 34. The attacking midfielder spent nine seasons with Paris FC, making 233 appearances in Ligue 2 before featuring five times in Ligue 1 last season.
FC Rouen have recruited experienced striker Malik Tchokounté from Stade Lavallois. The 37-year-old returns to the division where he first made his name with Dunkerque around a decade ago and is expected to lead the Rouen attack.
Nearby, Caen have added Fahd El Khoumisti, one of the most accomplished forwards in the recent history of the division. The 33-year-old was voted Ligue 3’s best player in 2022, has twice finished as the championship’s leading scorer and was selected in last season’s team of the year.
Caen have also recruited experienced defender Dennis Appiah from AS Saint-Étienne, while goalkeeper Quentin Beunardeau has joined Cannes from Red Star FC.
Elsewhere, Rouen have signed Marvin Gakpa, Lisandru Tramoni and Jordy Gaspar, while Versailles have brought in Jordan Leborgne and Abdourahmane Barry.
Several young players have also moved in search of regular football. Mathys Silistrie has joined Quevilly-Rouen Métropole from Stade Rennais, Lilian Baret has moved from LOSC Lille to Le Puy and Théo De Percin has left AJ Auxerre for SC Bastia.
Experience throughout the division
While Ligue 3 remains an important platform for emerging talent, several clubs will also rely on players with extensive experience at the highest level.
AS Cannes defender Sébastien Corchia is preparing for his second season on the Côte d’Azur. The former France international has played more than 300 Ligue 1 matches and has also appeared in LaLiga, the Portuguese top flight, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
His Cannes team-mate Cheikh Ndoye, now 40, brings further experience. The Senegal international made 92 appearances in Ligue 1, 73 in Ligue 2 and also played in the English Championship. He has already won the third division twice during his career.
Paris 13 Atletico can call upon former Gabon captain Bruno Ecuele Manga, who earned 106 international caps and played in Ligue 1, the Premier League and the Championship. He will be joined by former Cameroon international Ambroise Oyongo, who spent several seasons in Major League Soccer before returning to France.
At Valenciennes, Gaëtan Courtet has scored goals throughout his career, recording 86 in Ligue 2 and 15 in the Coupe de France. Togo international Charles Abi, formerly of Saint-Étienne, will also be part of the VAFC squad.
Amiens SC midfielder Thomas Monconduit has made nearly 150 appearances in Ligue 1, while US Orléans defender Jimmy Giraudon was part of the ESTAC Troyes side that won Ligue 2 in 2020/21.
Caen midfielder Lorenzo Rajot, Rouen attacker Marvin Gakpa and Cannes goalkeeper Quentin Beunardeau are among the other players whose experience could prove decisive during a demanding season.
Farade prepares to defend his crown
The race to finish as Ligue 3 Betclic’s leading goalscorer should be particularly competitive.
Kévin Farade claimed the award on the final day of last season after scoring 19 goals for FC Fleury 91. The striker has extended his contract and will now attempt to retain his crown.
One of his principal challengers could be Caen newcomer Fahd El Khoumisti, who has already finished as the division’s leading scorer on two occasions.
Rouen’s Malik Tchokounté also has the experience and scoring record to challenge, while Versailles forward Shelton Guillaume will hope to build upon the 12 goals he registered during the 2025/26 campaign.
Other strikers to follow include Mansour Samb, who has joined VFC La Roche on loan from Danish club AC Horsens, and Marvin Emmanuel. The latter has signed for Le Puy after scoring 47 goals across two seasons in National 2 with Racing Club de France.
The young talents to follow
Beyond the established names, Ligue 3 will once again provide a stage for some of the most promising young players in French football.
SC Bastia midfielder Alexandre Zaouai, 21, will be one to monitor, as will Caen’s Josué Kimboma, a DR Congo youth international, and Swiss Under-20 midfielder Freddy Bomo.
Newly promoted US Thionville Lusitanos can call upon 21-year-old forward Simon Kalambayi, who was developed by FC Metz and also spent time with Hoffenheim in Germany.
At Cannes, former RC Lens academy player Samuel Dié will be hoping to establish himself, while Versailles midfielder Ismaël Aouad, a Morocco Under-20 international, is another player with considerable potential.
US Concarneau’s Raïmane Daou was developed by Olympique de Marseille and has represented Comoros internationally. Paris 13 Atletico midfielder Étienne Michut, meanwhile, came through the Paris Saint-Germain academy and was crowned a French Under-19 champion.
Other prospects include FC Fleury midfielder Heraba Gassama, former Stade Rennais youngster Paolo Limon at Villefranche, Valenciennes midfielder Luka Boiteau and Amiens defender Amine Chabane.
Le Puy will be able to follow the progress of Algeria youth international Anis Fatahine and former Lens midfielder Ilan Ducourtioux, while Portugal Under-19 attacker Ricardo Coutinho will represent QRM.
Cannes forward George Morgan, a Wales youth international, and Aubagne Air Bel defender Aymen Sadi, who has represented France at Under-19 level, complete a lengthy list of young players hoping to make their mark.
A familiar partnership reunited at Thionville
Among the four promoted clubs, US Thionville Lusitanos will begin their first Ligue 3 Betclic campaign with a familiar coaching partnership back together.
Former FC Metz players Julien François and Stéphane Borbiconi previously worked alongside one another between 2021 and 2025. After a year apart, Borbiconi has returned to join head coach François at the newly promoted club.
It is another recognisable pairing in a division filled with established names, ambitious clubs and players determined to take the next step.
With Caen looking to rebuild, Cannes returning to the national stage and a wide-open promotion race expected, the 2026/27 Ligue 3 Betclic season promises to be one worth following.
READ MORE:
>> 2026/27: Everything You Need to Know about Ligue 1 teams in Europe
