France Squad for Euro 2024: Who is Didier Deschamps Taking to Germany?

England may be the favourites for many bookmakers, but France is the team to beat at Euro 2024. The Three Lions couldn’t secure a victory at the 2022 World Cup, with Les Bleus showcasing their big-game prowess by overcoming Gareth Southgate’s side in a thrilling last-eight encounter before finishing as runners-up to Argentina in what is considered the greatest final international football has ever seen.

France are believed to be stronger now than they were in Qatar. Since then, they have lost a few friendly matches – all against Germany – but still qualified for the Euros with an unbeaten record, despite being in what is considered the toughest group. Didier Deschamps’ team also defeated the Netherlands both home and away, with a particularly impressive performance in Paris.

Clearly, Olivier Giroud is slightly improving, but the veteran AC Milan forward will be surrounded by a host of stunning attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappé, the world’s best player, and the complete genius, Antoine Griezmann.

Moreover, France is fortunate to have an incredible number of players who are not only talented but also unbelievably young. However, he has been voted to bring back an old face to compete in the tournament in Germany.

Coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed the strongest 25-player squad for Euro 2024 as follows:

Goalkeepers

Mike Maignan gave France a real fright when he picked up his second injury of the season, having issues with his thigh while warming up for AC Milan’s Serie A encounter with Juventus on April 27, but the goalkeeper is expected to return to action before the end of the season.

Provided Maignan is fit, he will be Deschamps’ number one at the Euros, having long established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers. Indeed, he made a stunning save in Dublin during qualifying, helping his side secure three crucial points against Ireland.

West Ham’s Alphonse Areola could be Maignan’s understudy, but Lens’ Brice Samba, who started in the 3-2 victory over Chile, is also vying for that role.

3 goalkeepers include: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders

Deschamps has made it quite clear that William Saliba has yet to perform his best for France, but the Arsenal man should start in Germany and is likely to partner with Ibrahima Konate if the Liverpool man can maintain his form (that’s not guaranteed!).

Dayot Upamecano is obviously a reasonable replacement, but he is no longer a regular at Bayern Munich anymore, which is why it was a big blow – unsurprisingly – for the versatile Lucas Hernandez to be ruled out through injury. Jules Kounde and Benjamin Pavard are two other options at centre-back, as they are both versatile defenders, comfortable at right-back as well as in the middle.

When it comes to full-back positions, Theo Hernandez is almost certain to start on the left, especially with his brother Lucas ruled out through injury – though Ferland Mendy’s recall will pose stiff competition for this spot following his resurgence at Real Madrid.

On the opposite flank, Jonathan Clauss is a more appealing option than Kounde. Clauss had a poor start to the season with Marseille and was also forced off against Chile with an ankle issue, but Deschamps has a lot of faith in the 31-year-old.

Elsewhere, the door of opportunity has closed for Chelsea trio Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi, while there is no room in the squad for Jean-Clair Todibo.

8 defenders include: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders:

Deschamps’ favourite midfield trio is now certain. Adrien Rabiot has become a key player for France (and Juventus) over the past few years, and he will start in midfield alongside Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni – who is expected to overcome an injury in time to feature – and France’s hybrid hero, Grizmann, an extremely intelligent and hard-working forward, who is used in a supporting midfield role to great effect as was the case in Qatar 2022.

Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga provide quality backup options, while Warren Zaire-Emery is a player to watch, with the extraordinary teenage talent of PSG marking his international debut in November with a goal.

The 18-year-old is the youngest player ever called up by France to participate in a major international tournament – and he will join the squad along with the injured N’Golo Kante, who was recalled at the age of 32 because, according to Deschamps, he has “regained his full physical capacity” playing for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

7 midfielders include: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Ozil (Atletico Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards

He may now be 37 years old, but Giroud will lead the line for France, particularly as Mappe, France’s star player, enjoys playing in front of AC Milan’s number 9. However, Giroud does have competition for his starting spot. Marcus Thuram is enjoying a fantastic debut season in Serie A with Inter, and although Randal Kolo Muani has not really justified his astronomical transfer fee, he is still a teammate of Kypbapp’s at PSG and impressed against Chile.

If Kingsley Coman is fit – and that’s a big if – he will be the favoured option to play on the right wing rather than the astonishingly inconsistent Ousmane Dembele. Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola has found his way into the squad after an impressive end to the season with PSG.

Sadly, Christopher Nkunku’s hopes of touring have been dashed, with the Chelsea forward’s debut season at Stamford Bridge ruined by injury.

7 forwards include: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter)

Expected line-up with a 4-3-3 formation

Maignan is sure to start in goal but it would be a surprise if Saliba does not start – despite competition from Pavard. Konate will be the remaining centre-back, particularly with Lucas Hernandez absent.

Theo Hernandez is the best attacking option at left-back and notably, he was picked for both group matches against the Netherlands, but who plays on the opposite flank remains to be seen. Currently, Deschamps seems to favour Clauss over Kounde, who looked uncomfortable against Chile, but Pavard is also a contender.

Despite the return of Kante after nearly two years in the wilderness, the midfield is almost certain to be made up of Tchouameni, Rabiot and Griroud, who will be given license to advance and support Giroud. Team captain Mbappe and Coman are likely to provide the width.

France’s expected line-up (4-3-3): Maignan; Clauss, Saliba, Konate, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezman; Coman, Giroud, Mbappé.

France’s EURO 2024 Group B Fixtures

June 18: Austria vs France (02:00 at Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf)

June 22: Netherlands vs France (02:00 at Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig)

June 25: France vs Poland (23:00 at BVB Stadion Dortmund, Dortmund)

⚽️ UEFA Euro 1960 to 2021 with 16 tournaments and 10 national champions

⏩ Germany won the Euro 3 times (1972 – 1980 – 1996)

⏩ Spain won the Euro 3 times (1964 – 2008 – 2012)

⏩ France won the Euro 2 times (1984 – 2000)

⏩ Italy won the Euro 2 times (1968 – 2020)

⏩ Soviet Union won the Euro once in 1960

⏩ Czechoslovakia won the Euro once in 1976

⏩ Netherlands won the Euro once in 1988

⏩ Denmark won the Euro once in 1992

⏩ Greece won the Euro once in 2004

⏩ Portugal won the Euro once in 2016

With the participation of the strongest European teams according to the FIFA ranking on February 15, 2024 such as France (2nd) – England (3rd) – Belgium (4th) – Netherlands (6th) – Portugal (7th) – Spain (8th) – Italy (9th) – Croatia (10th) and bright stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku to promising young talents, Euro 2024 promises to deliver top-level and dramatic matches.

EURO 2024 will take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024 in 10 cities in Germany with 24 participating teams. The teams are divided into 6 groups to select the first and second teams in each group, and the 4 third-placed teams with the best performance to get a ticket to the knock-out round. The opening match is scheduled for June 14 between host Germany and Scotland.

⚽️ Detailed EURO 2024 match groups:

⚽️ Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

⚽️ Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania

⚽️ Group C: England, Denmark, Serbia, Slovenia

⚽️ Group D: Poland, France, Netherlands, Austria

⚽️ Group E: Slovakia, Romania, Belgium, Ukraine

⚽️ Group F: Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic, Georgia