France Euro 2024 squad: Who has Didier Deschamps decided to take to Germany?
12 December, 2025n8rngtd.top0 Comments1 category
Les Bleus finished as runners-up at the 2022 World Cup and possess so much talent that
England may be the favourites with many bookmakers, but France are the team to beat at Euro 2024. The Three Lions couldn't manage it at the 2022 World Cup, with Les Bleus proving their big-game bottle by edging out Gareth Southgate's side in an epic last-eight encounter before eventually finishing as runners-up to Argentina after arguably the greatest final the international game has ever seen.
France are arguably stronger now than they were in Qatar. They've since lost a couple of friendlies – both to Germany – but qualified for the Euros undefeated despite being in arguably the toughest group. Didier Deschamps' side also beat Netherlands home and away, with their performance in Paris particularly impressive.
Obviously, Olivier Giroud is getting on a bit, but the veteran AC Milan striker will be surrounded by a wonderful array of attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappe, the best player in the world, and the all-round genius that is Antoine Griezmann.
What's more, France are blessed with a plethora of players that are not only immensely talented but also incredibly young. However, he's nonetheless elected to bring an old face back into the fold for the tournament in Germany.
So, who has made France's 25-strong Euro 2024 squad? GOAL takes a look…
Mike Maignan gave France an almighty scare when he got injured for the second time this season, suffering a thigh problem while warming up for AC Milan's Serie A clash with Juventus on April 27, but the goalkeeper is expected to return to action before the end of the season.
As long as Maignan is fit, he will be Deschamps' No.1 at the Euros, having long since established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Indeed, he made a stunning save in Dublin during the qualifiers that earned his side three important points against Ireland.
West Ham's Alphonse Areola is Maignan's likely understudy but Brice Samba of Lens, who started the 3-2 win over Chile, is also in contention for that role.
Name
Club
Alphonse Areola
West Ham
Mike Maignan
AC Milan
Brice Samba
Lens
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Getty
DEFENDERS
Deschamps has rather pointedly stated that William Saliba has yet to produce his very best form for France but the Arsenal man should start in Germany and most likely alongside Ibrahima Konate if the Liverpool man can stay fit (by no means a certainty!).
Dayot Upamecano is obviously a decent alternative but he's no longer a starter at Bayern Munich, which is why the loss of the versatile Lucas Hernandez to injury is such a massive – if unsurprising – blow. Jules Kounde and Benjamin Pavard are two other options in the centre of defence, given they're also multi-talented defenders, as comfortable at right-back as they are in the middle.
When it comes to the full-back berths, Theo Hernandez is almost certain to start on the left-hand side, particularly now that his brother Lucas has been ruled out through injury – although a recalled Ferland Mendy will offer stiff competition for the position, given his revival at Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Clauss is a more attractive proposition on the opposite flank than Kounde. Clauss was performing poorly earlier in the season for Marseille and was also forced off against Chile with a hamstring problem, but Deschamps has a lot of faith in the 31-year-old.
Elsewhere, the window of opportunity has closed for Chelsea trio Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi, while there's no room in the squad for Jean-Clair Todibo either.
Name
Club
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
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MIDFIELDERS
Deschamps' preferred midfield three is now well-established. Adrien Rabiot has become a key player for France (and Juventus) over the past couple of years, and he will start in midfield alongside Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni – who is expected to overcome injury in time to start – and France's hybrid hero Griezmann, the ridiculously intelligent and industrious forward who was utilised as an auxiliary midfielder to great effect at Qatar 2022.
Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga provide quality back-up, while Warren Zaire-Emery is very much one to watch, with the prodigiously gifted PSG teenager having marked his international debut in November with a goal.
The 18-year-old is the youngest player ever to be called up for a major international tournament by France – and he will joined in the squad by the injury-plagued N'Golo Kante, who has received a shock recall at the age of 32 because, according to Deschamps, he has "regained all of his physical abilities" while playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad.
Name
Club
Eduardo Camavinga
Real Madrid
Youssouf Fofana
Monaco
Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid
N'Golo Kante
Al-Ittihad
Adrien Rabiot
Juventus
Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid
Warren Zaire-Emery
Paris Saint-Germain
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FORWARDS
He may be 37 now, but Giroud will spearhead the France attack, not least because Mbappe, France's star player, adores playing off the AC Milan No.9. However, Giroud does have competition for his starting spot. Marcus Thuram is enjoying a fine debut season in Serie A with Inter, and although Randal Kolo Muani hasn't exactly lived up to his lofty transfer fee, he is a club-mate of Mbappe at PSG and impressed against Chile.
If Kingsley Coman is fit – and that is a big if – he will be the favourite to play on the right wing over the maddeningly inconsistent Ousmane Dembele. Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola has played his way into the squad after an impressive end to the season for PSG.
Sadly, Christopher Nkunku's hopes of travelling are over, with the Chelsea forward having seen his first season at Stamford Bridge blighted by injuries.