Didier Deschamps names France’s Euro 2024 Squad | OneFootball

With the 2024 European Championship around the corner, France have named their squad ahead of the June 7 deadline set in place by UEFA.

Didier Deschamps’ men are undoubtedly one of the favourites to win the tournament in Germany, boasting arguably the deepest and most formidable squad among this year’s participants. All France tickets for the European Championship are selling fast as the world awaits incredible football from one of the best teams coming into the competition.

The French are looking to clinch their third title and first since 2000. The 2018 World Cup winners did come close to winning the European Championship on home soil eight years ago but suffered a surprise defeat to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016.

An early exit at Euro 2020 at the hands of Switzerland and a painful loss to Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final means Deschamps and his squad will have huge motivation once the tournament kicks off on June 14.

This year’s tournament marks the 11th time Les Bleus will play at Europe’s premier international competition, with just three teams having featured in more editions of the European Championship.

France’s squad announcement includes some surprise names, while some elite players have not made the final cut given the depth of talent at Deschamps’ disposal.

Mike Maignan to take the number one role

Hugo Lloris’ international retirement has opened up an opportunity for Mike Maignan to impress at a major tournament. Lloris retired as France’s record appearance maker with 145 caps for Les Bleus and Maignan has taken the gloves for the French since.

The 28-year-old has established himself as one of Serie A’s finest shot-stoppers since signing for AC Milan from Lille and was named as the division’s Best Goalkeeper as the Rossoneri won the Scudetto in 2021/22.

Alphonse Areola will provide support after cementing himself as West Ham’s number one this season, alongside former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba. The latter helped Lens to Champions League qualification for the first time in two decades last season.

France’s dependable defence

France have a brilliant list of backline options with Les Bleus boasting unrivalled defensive depth. Jules Kounde has had an impressive campaign for Barcelona, while William Saliba played a key role in Arsenal’s title challenge in the Premier League. That duo will be joined by Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Inter Milan’s Benjamin Pavard in competing for a place in the side.

Elsewhere, AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez and Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy battle it out for a place at left-back. However, Lucas Hernandez is a notable absence after the Paris Saint-Germain player was ruled out after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the French side’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund earlier this month.

Griezmann remains integral, Kante makes surprise return

Antoine Griezmann has been at the centre of France’s performances for a decade and will continue to do so in Germany this summer. The 33-year-old has returned to his best levels across the last two seasons at Atletico Madrid and will offer creative support from midfield.

One of the first names on the team sheet, Griezmann played a record-breaking 84 consecutive international matches for Les Bleus between 2017 and 2024. He has an outstanding record in past major tournaments, having won the Golden Boot at Euro 2016, Bronze Ball and Silver Boot at the 2018 World Cup, and led the 2022 World Cup for chances created and assists.

The big surprise of the French announcement was the return of N’Golo Kante. The midfielder was an indispensable member of France’s 2018 World Cup win but has not made an international appearance since June 2022. Despite a transfer to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad last summer, Kante has been included.

Aside from that experience, France will also have fresh and talented legs in midfield. Real Madrid duo Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga continue to excel at both club and international level, and PSG teenager Warren Zaïre-Emery gets a well-deserved call-up for his impressive displays at PSG this season.

Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot complete the list in midfield.

Mbappe to spearhead France’s challenge

Kylian Mbappe will captain France at the finals and enters the tournament on the back of his best – and final – season at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe has scored 44 goals in 47 appearances for the Parisians this season, the best return of his club career to date, and has posted spectacular numbers for Les Bleus. The 25-year-old has 46 international goals and counting, bettered only by Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann who provide the chief support at Euro 2024.

Arguably the best player in world football right now, he won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final defeat to Argentina in Qatar. PSG trio Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola are all selected, as is Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman in a forward line boasting real pace.

Marcus Thuram will hope for a prominent role after a superb debut season at Inter Milan. The son of France great, Lilian, the 26-year-old scored 13 goals and provided seven assists as the Italian side won Serie A this season.

Read – England Euro 2024 squad: The big decisions for Gareth Southgate

See more – Our Premier League end-of-season awards for 2023/24

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